India was on Wednesday positive about securing the early release of three of its citizens taken hostage by an Iraqi terrorist group, with a minister saying talks with the abductors were “progressing well”.

“Hostage negotiation is a very delicate and sensitive matter. Patience is a key factor,” Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said.

He said the firm, Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company, that employed the seven truckers taken hostage in Iraq was continuing discussions with the abductors.

“We also welcome the positive efforts of well-wishers like Shaikh Hisham al-Dulaymi,” Ahamed said, referring to the tribal leader appointed mediator by the abductors – The Holders of the Black Banners.

Even as India expressed optimism about their early release, the hostages began their second week in captivity Wednesday.

Asked about the basis for his optimism, Ahamed said the company that employed the men had told the Indian mission in Kuwait that talks with the captors were moving in a “positive direction”.

Ahamed heads the government’s crisis management group that is dealing with the hostage issue. The group has been meeting daily to review the progress in negotiations for the release of the Indians, identified as Antaryami Bains, Sukhdev Singh and Tilak Raj.

The government has said it would not comment on the negotiations as this could jeopardise the lives of the hostages. The three Indians, along with three Kenyans and one Egyptian, were kidnapped July 21.

The Kuwaiti company had made direct contact with the kidnappers Monday and reported that all the hostages were safe.

The kidnappers, who had threatened to behead the hostages one after the other every 72 hours if their demands were not met, have indefinitely extended their ultimatum in view of the negotiations.