India on Tuesday thanked Iran for releasing nine Indian sailors who had been languishing in a Tehran jail for two years.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted her thanks: "Iran has released nine Indian sailors - Thank you Iran. Thank you HE @JZarif for a prompt action on our request."
"We have secured the release of Sushil Kapoor and 8 Indians from jail in Iran. They will reach Delhi tomorrow (on Wednesday)," she posted.
Sushma Swaraj had raised the issue with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif when he visited India on August 14.
She had highlighted the plight of the nine Indians, including Delhi resident Sushil Arora, who were in jail for two years on charges of smuggling oil. The Indians were part of a shipping crew.
