India concerned over abduction of 3 Indians in Mali amid attacks by al-Qaeda affiliate
The Indian nationals working at the Diamond Cement Factory at Kayes in Mali were abducted on July 1, when armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack on the facility, the external affairs ministry said.
No one has claimed responsibility yet for the kidnappings.
Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on military posts across Mali on Tuesday. Mali's armed forces killed 80 fighters while responding to the simultaneous attacks.
Many military and government installations at multiple locations in western and central Mali were attacked by terrorists on July 1, the external affairs ministry said.
While expressing deep concern at the abduction, the ministry said, 'The government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence and calls upon the government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals.'
The Indian embassy in Bamako is in close and constant contact with authorities in Mali, including local law enforcement agencies, and the management of Diamond Cement Factory to free the abducted Indians. The embassy is also in touch with the family members of the abducted Indians.
Senior officials of the external affairs ministry are 'closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate [the] safe and early release of [the] Indian nationals'.
The external affairs ministry advised all Indians living in Mali to exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant and stay in close contact with the embassy in Bamako for regular updates and necessary assistance. The number of Indians in Mali could not immediately be ascertained.
The ministry said it will extend all possible support to Indians and 'remains committed to ensuring the safe return of the abducted Indian nationals at the earliest'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Only Had 30 Seconds...': Pak PM's Advisor Reveals What Happened When India Fired BrahMos Missile
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advisor, Rana Sanaullah, recently admitted that Islamabad had only 30 to 45 seconds to assess whether the BrahMos cruise missile fired by India during Operation Sindoor and headed toward the Nur Khan Airbase carried a nuclear warhead. Sanaullah said that even the slightest misunderstanding or misjudgment in those critical seconds could have triggered a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. Nur Khan is a major Pakistani Air Force airbase situated in Rawalpindi's Chaklala. The airbase was among 11 such sites hit by Indian strikes during Operation Sindoor. The Indian Air Force had also struck Sargodha, Rafiqui, Jacobabad, and Murid airbases.#shehbazsharif #ranasanaullah #brahmos #operationsindoor #nurkhanairbase #nuclearwar #indiapakistan #nucleartensions #pakistanairforce #indianairforce #rawalpindi #missilecrisis #geopolitics #southasia #nuclearalert #airbases #strategicthreat #indiapakistannuclear #regionalconflict #defensealert #internationalrelations #toi #toibharat Read More
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dharmendra to visit CUO
Koraput: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan will visit the Central University of Odisha (CUO), Sunabeda, on Saturday. He will lay the foundation stone for a large-scale infrastructure project in CUO campus and inaugurate several newly-completed facilities, including the academic building, health centre, the official residence of the vice-chancellor, and residential quarters for university officers' and staff. These developments aim to upgrade academic and residential standards at the university, reinforcing its position as a centre of learning and growth, reads a varsity release. According to the release, a major highlight of the occasion will be the signing of an MoU among six premier centrally funded higher education institutions in Odisha CUO, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIM Sambalpur, NIT Rourkela, IISER Berhampur, and the National Sanskrit University, Puri. The pact is designed to foster academic synergy through multidisciplinary research, faculty and student exchange, and joint use of resources and credits, it reads. The collaboration will also focus on community engagement, particularly empowering tribal and underprivileged population, boosting digital and entrepreneurial education, and integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems — all in alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020. The initiative is also expected to contribute toward improving the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education across the region.
News18
25 minutes ago
- News18
'He Lived Like A Monk': Industrialist Recalls PM Modi's 'Simplicity' During 1998 US Visit
Mittal said he met with PM Modi in 1998 when he did not hold any government position and was left impressed by his knowledge and grassroots approach as a young man. Industrialist ML Mittal recalled meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to New York around 25 years ago, saying his simplicity and humility left a deep impression on him at the time. Mittal painted a vivid picture of the Prime Minister's life of austerity. Mittal said he met with PM Modi when he did not hold any government position and was left impressed by his knowledge and grassroots approach as a young man. 'He had immense knowledge and spoke with remarkable clarity about poverty eradication and the global role of the Indian diaspora. His depth of understanding and humility stood out," he said. Mittal hosted PM Modi at his residence after meeting him during an international programme themed around the ancient ideal of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The world is one family). The meeting was convened by the UN to revisit a resolution aimed at eradicating global poverty by 2050. Mittal said he was stunned to see Modi's austere lifestyle. 'He lived like a monk. He fasted twice a week, avoided air-conditioning and fans, ate only fruits, and slept on the floor. He never stayed in hotels – he preferred the homes of followers. Once, he opened his tiffin, which was only jaggery and peanuts." 'Slept In Utility Room' 'He refused. Instead, he chose to sleep in a small utility room used for ironing clothes. It had no air conditioning and no attached bathroom, but he said it was perfect for him," he said. The industrialist further said the young BJP leader would wake up by 5 am, make tea and prepare breakfast for everyone. During a visit to Delhi later, Mittal found that Modi – despite serving as the BJP's national general secretary – was living in a small quarter with minimal belongings. Despite rising in stature, PM Modi's lifestyle remained unchanged. ''I congratulated him and joked that he must now be enjoying the perks of power. He refused and told me that he stayed in a servant's quarter and used a dilapidated vehicle." 'He received me in a small room with just a small bed and a few belongings. He even fetched water himself from the tap in his bottle. Despite his rising stature, Narendra Modi never let power or position affect his simplicity or personal discipline," Mittal said. Mittal also revealed that PM Modi was allotted a meagre $25 every day for his international visits, but he would use save from that and return the rest to the party fund. 'He never entered politics for power. His path was one of service. The Gujarat model he pioneered has now become a global benchmark," he added. (with inputs from agencies) First Published: July 03, 2025, 23:14 IST
