The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep concern over the abduction of three Indians in Mali. They were employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes and were trapped in a hostage situation since July 1.
This comes after Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks across Mali on Tuesday. MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, expressed his “deep concern” regarding this action from armed assailants who “carried out a coordinated attack”. The Indian embassy in Bamako is in “close and constant” contact with the officials.
MEA’s statement on abduction
“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 MEA said in a statement.
MEA expresses its deep concern regarding the abduction of three Indian nationals employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Mali. The incident occurred on 1st July 2025, when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises and forcibly… pic.twitter.com/hNFT5kzbK0
— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2025
“Senior officials of the ministry are closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate safe and early release of Indian nationals,” it said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged all Indian nationals in Mali to exercise maximum caution, stay alert, and maintain close communication with the Indian Embassy in Bamako for timely updates and assistance.
The ministry also assured that it will make every effort to extend support to Indians is underway. It “remains committed to ensuring the safe return of the abducted Indian nationals at the earliest”.
Mali Attacks
This attack marks the third military attack in Mali over the past month. A series of simultaneous attacks targeted military posts, and in response, the army killed 80 militants. The landlocked region in West Africa suffered significant damage to which JNIM has accepted responsibility. As per JNIM, the “highly technical” attack took over the Army barracks in Junta. Not just army targets, but the Mali officials claim that the militants have targeted civilians as well. However, Mali has severed ties with western military alliances and relied on Russian troops as external military support.