Government has decided to intensify diplomatic efforts through consultations with government of Egypt and UAE where the owners of concerned vessels reside to seek the safe and secure release of Indian sailors held hostage by Somali pirates. Making a statement in the Lok Sabha today after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on security in New Delhi, the External Affairs Minister said that it will also coordinate with government of other nationalities whose people have been held hostage, besides intensifying efforts at multilateral level and within the framework of United Nations. Mr. S.M. Krishna said government will also step up contacts with the owners of the vessels. He said an inter ministerial group under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary will act as an apex forum at the national level to monitor the early release of Indian ships, cargo or crew. The group will also consider welfare measures necessitated after the release of hijacked Indian nationals.The minister asserted that suitable operating procedures for Indian navy and coordination with the navies of friendly foreign countries is on the anvil to address the issue of piracy in the Gulf of Aden. He said that the CCS considered the immediate situation arising out from holding of Indian hostages by pirates and noted 53 of them continued to be in captivity. Mr. S.M. Krishna said that committee approved a series of measures to address the legal, administrative and operational aspects of combating piracy. He said a broad based framework covering all these aspects would involve actions in the medium and long term by ministries of shipping, defence and external affairs.In a brief remark the leader of the Opposition Mrs. Sushma Swaraj complimented the government for a quick response and suggested to use international laws resolutely and suitably to deal with the menace of piracy.