India summons Dutch envoy, conveys strong protest

New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) India today summoned the Dutch Ambassador in New Delhi to the Foreign Office here and conveyed strong protest at the detention of the 12 Indian nationals by Dutch Police following a mid-air 'terror' drama on board a US airliner coming from Amsterdam to Mumbai on Wednesday.

Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told reporters that India had taken strong notice of the incident and had asked for a detailed report.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said at a press conference that the Dutch envoy was summoned by Mrs Shashi Tripathi, Secretary (West) in the Ministry, and told that India was shocked at the incident which was ''not in keeping with the close and friendly relations'' between the two countries.

''We have taken the matter very seriously which is not in conformity with the good and friendly relations between the two countries,'' the spokesman said.

The Dutch Ambassador assured that he would find all the details of the incident and revert to the Ministry.

The Spokesman said the Indian Charge d' Affaires at the Hague had also meet the Indian nationals for about two hours. The government here also would get a de-briefing from them after they arrive here tonight, the spokesman added.

Earlier, Mr Anand Sharma lauded the efforts of the Indian Mission and Indian officials in Amsterdam saying they had secured the release of the Indian nationals within 30 hours whereas according to the Vienna Convention, they could have been released only after 72 hours.

''They have been released and no charges have been pressed against them. We are relieved at the developments. Our Missaion and officials have worked day in and day out for their release,'' the Minister said.

He said the government would also get a de-briefing from the passengers to ascertain what had happened.

The 12 Indians were detained for questioning by the Dutch Police after they behaved suspiciously on a US Northwest Airlines flight No NW0042 which was carrying 149 passengers and was bound for India.

The passengers were exchanging mobile phones which made the crew and the Marshals suspicious.

It was forced to return to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport following the terror alert.

Two Dutch fighter jets escorted the plane back to Schiphol after it entered Dutch airspace. After the plane landed, the 12 people were detained for questioning.

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