Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has told his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj that he has no idea about the whereabouts of 39 missing Indians who were kidnapped by ISIS in Mosul.

Axar.az reports citing Times of India.

In a major setback to India's efforts to trace the missing Indians in Iraq, the Iraqi Foreign Minister said that he is not sure about the fate of 39 missing Indians.

"We are not sure whether they are alive or not, we don't know. We are going to do our best but till now we cannot say anything about their fate," al-Jaafari told media after his meeting with Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.

He added that his government is doing its best to find the missing 39 Indians and that they are in constant touch with the Indian government.

Earlier, the Indian government had assured the family members of the missing Indians that they are safe. The 39 Indians have been missing in Iraq since July 16, 2014, and are alleged to have been kidnapped by ISIS in Mosul.

India had sent Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh to Iraq to trace the missing Indians just after the liberation of Mosul from ISIS.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister is on a five-day visit to India. Apart from Sushma Swaraj, al-Jaafari met Vice President Hamid Ansari and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan.