Sushma Swaraj says declaring 39 Indians abducted by ISIS as dead is a 'sin'

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke about the 39 Indians abducted by ISIS in the Lok Sabha Swaraj says that she cannot commit the sin of declaring them dead without a proper investigation She said the government will continue its efforts to trace the Indians

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday, July 26, that she would ‘not commit a sin’ by declaring the 39 Indians abducted from Mosul in Iraq as dead.

ISIS had kidnapped 39 Indians working in Mosul three years ago when ISIS was ravaging the country.

She said that there is no evidence that the abducted persons are dead.

"This government won't end the search for our missing citizens until we have proof they are not alive," the Union minister said in the Lok Sabha.

Times of India had reported that Iraq, on July 24, stated that it has no substantial proof on whether the 39 Indians are alive or dead, but confirmed that Badush, where the Indians were last seen, was demolished by ISIS.

Making a forceful statement in the Lok Sabha, Swaraj said the government would continue its efforts to trace the Indians till it gets evidence that they were dead.

"This file will not close till there is proof that the 39 Indians were dead. I will not commit the sin of declaring them dead without any evidence," Swaraj said, two days after holding talks with Iraqi foreign minister on the issue.

The external affairs minister said she had never misled Parliament or the families of the abducted Indians.

"I have never misled. I want to ask the opposition what benefit will I get by misleading. What benefit my government get by misleading the people on the issue," she said.