The Indian External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid met the Yemen Foreign Minister Dr Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi on Friday at the margins of the 12th IOR-ARC Council of Ministers’ Meeting and assured him of India’s help in the rehabilitation process in that country, said the MEA Official Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

India has already supplied rice to Yemen and will supply wheat.

Khurshid also expressed concerns over the fate of Henry Iceberg Ship in which Indian seafarers on board are in captivity. He also assured India’s help in combating piracy off the Horn of Africa which has severely impacted Yemen.

India will be hosting a global anti-piracy conference in April 2013 under the auspices of IOR-ARC where the proposal for a permanent mechanism will be discussed.

Khurshid discussed with the his counterpart about Indian hospital project in Yemen. The Yemini Minister wanted Indian assistance in processing leather.

Khurshid also had bilateral meeting with the Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs, Prof Gamini Peiris who said that 296,000 internally displaced Tamilians have be rehabilitated. However there are problems in implementation of land related issues.

Peiris informed that economic growth in Jaffna was picking up.

Khurshid also raised the issue of five Indian fishermen currently in captivity

He also met the Oman Foreign Minister Yousuf Alawi.

On Thursday Khurshid’s common focus in interactions was the utilisation of line of credit (LoCs) extended by India to each of these African States, possibilities of enhancing scholarships in Indian educational institutions. There were also detailed discussions on the threat that piracy poses to all the Indian Ocean Rim States and the prospects of greater cooperation including through international organisations in taking anti-piracy measures.

Prof Ongeri of Kenya, having studied his medicine in India was keen on an increase in ITEC scholarships. There was a detailed discussion on the situation in Somalia and the need for international efforts to adopt a multi-pronged approach to assist Somalia.

Khurshid’s discussions with Madagascar Minister also included a detailed briefing on the political situation.

With Seychelles Minister, he discussed various aspects of defence cooperation including the provision of another Dornier aircraft by India to Seychelles to help in monitoring the sea lanes.