Bangalore, July. 21 (PTI): Mohammed Haneef, detained in Australia as a terror suspect, is in good health but sad at the action taken against him by authorities in that country, Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said today.

Quoting an Indian official who met Haneef, Ahamed told reporters on the sidelines of a function here: "Our official met Haneef. He is in good health but sad over the turn of events and the action taken by Australian authorities."

Asked if the developments in the aftermath of Haneef's detention had taken a political turn, he said: "Let it just be a legal and diplomatic matter."

On Haneef's detention, Ahamed said: "This matter has not made anybody happy. Everyone is unhappy...the legal fraternity, human rights activists and the media. Even in Australia, they are unhappy."

He said that during his meeting with Haneef's wife Firdous Arshiya here on Thursday night, he had explained the stand taken by the Indian Government on the issue.

"Haneef's wife conveyed her thanks for the word put in by the Prime Minister," Ahamed said.

Ahamed also said the Indian Government had expressed its concerns over Haneef's detention to Australian authorities.

Under Australian law, there is a provision for a just and fair trial, a desire that the Prime Minister had expressed before, Ahamed said.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, he said, had had a telephonic conversation with Australian authorities on the issue.

Regarding his meeting with Haneef's wife Firdous, he said that the family had requested him to help expedite the visa of her relative and this had been followed up.

The Prime Minister, Ahamed said, had asked him to extend all possible help to Haneef's family and efforts were being made in this direction.

On the issue of Australian officials seeking clearance from the Indian government to come to India to collect information, he said the usual procedures laid down for this purpose would have to be followed, including sending letters rogatory.

"We also have to see what information they have sought, what they wish to ascertain," he said. "We have to be careful in all these matters."