After the confirmation of the kidnapping of five Indian citizens in the West African country Mali, the Government of India and the Indian Embassy have started immediate efforts for their safe release. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday that the Indian Embassy in Bamako is in constant touch with the Mali authorities and the concerned company. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the incident took place on 6 November 2025 in an area that has seen several attacks and kidnappings by armed groups in the last few years.

Indian Embassy statement
The Indian Embassy in Mali posted on The Embassy is working with the Malian authorities and the company concerned to ensure their safe and early release. MEAIndia and PMOIndia were also tagged in the post, which clearly shows that the government is looking at the matter at a high level.

The Embassy is aware of the unfortunate incident of kidnapping of five of our nationals in on 6 Nov 2025. The Embassy has been working closely with the authorities and the company concerned to secure their safe release as quickly as possible. @MEAIndia @PMOIndia

— India in Mali (@IndianEmbassyML) November 9, 2025

Constant contact and efforts
Officials in New Delhi said that the Indian Embassy is in constant touch with Mali’s security agencies and the company where these Indians were working. MEA Headquarters is also coordinating with other foreign missions and international partners to understand the security situation in the region. The ministry said that ‘all necessary efforts are being made for their release and the situation is being constantly monitored.’

Mali is struggling with instability
Mali is one of the most unstable countries in West Africa. The situation here has worsened due to several military coups and increasing activities of jihadi groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Kidnappings of foreign workers are particularly common in the central and northern parts of Mali, as government control is very weak in these areas.