MEA works quietly until the task is done: MoS Gen. V.K. Singh on Father Tom

Thiruvananthapuram [Kerala], September 13 (ANI): Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh on Wednesday said that the ministry works in a subtle manner until the task is done. His comment comes after Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Vatican priest hailing from India, was rescued even as he was abducted last year in Yemen

Singh said, "Happy to share. You all must have been seen on Twitter about Father Tom. It underlines one thing that the ministry of external affairs works quietly. It works without making too much of noise, and ultimately gets the work done."

"We know the type of criticism that had come couple of times, when Father Tom disappeared in Yemen. We are happy that he has come back safe and I am sure people will appreciate that we were able to get him out safe and sound," he added.

Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday took to Twitter to inform, "I am happy to inform that Father Tom Uzhunnalil has been rescued."

Father Uzhunnalil was reportedly kidnapped on March 4, 2016 by the ISIS in Yemen, when they attacked a retirement home in Aden-run by the Missionaries of Charity, killing 16 people, including four nuns.

As per the Oman Observer, "In compliance with the His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Oman in coordination with the Yemeni parties have managed find a Vatican priest," adding, he was transferred to Muscat from where he is now on way back to his home in Kerala.

"In response to the Royal Orders of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and as per a request from the Vatican to assist in the rescuing of a Vatican employee, the concerned authorities in the Sultanate, in coordination with the Yemeni authorities, have managed to find a Vatican government employee. He was transferred this morning to Muscat in preparation for his return home," the Oman Government said, in a statement.

"Tom Uzhunnalil, a Vatican priest, expressed thanks to God Almighty and appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. He also thanked his brothers and sisters and all relatives and friends who called on God for safety and release," Oman Observer further reported.

The Indian Government, last year, confirmed that efforts were underway to ensure that he is released.

"Fr Tom Uzhunnallil - an Indian national from Kerala was abducted by a terror group in Yemen. We r making all efforts to secure his release," Swaraj tweeted back then. (ANI)