The issue of Indian employees of the IL&FS in Ethiopia should be resolved very soon, the Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday.

The Ethiopian police have taken into custody three Indian IL&FS officials, even as five Indian employees continue to be in captivity of the unpaid staff in the African nation.

Asked about the three Indian officials taken into custody, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "We are closely coordinating with IL&FS both here and in Ethiopia. We are also in touch with local government authorities. My sense is that we should be able to resolve this matter very soon."

IL&FS had 15 Indian employees in Ethiopia, seven of whom were held captive by the local staff. Of the seven, two were released last week on medical ground.

The three employees, out of the eight employees who were not held captive, were taken into custody.

On the seven Indians abducted in Afghanistan, Kumar said: "We do remain engaged with Afghan authorities. We are making all efforts to ensure the early and safe release of all the people who have been kidnapped.

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