The Abbott government's claim to have ''stopped the boats'' has dramatically unravelled, as 157 asylum seekers who have been held captive on the high seas for almost a month will be brought to the mainland on Saturday.

The humiliating backdown came after Immigration Minister Scott Morrison told Parliament this month that ''on every occasion that may present, we will apply all of the policies we have to ensure that no venture successfully reaches Australia''.

Mr Morrison, who has refused to acknowledge the existence of the boat for weeks, confirmed the asylum seekers would be transferred to the mainland, where they will be interviewed by Indian officials.

''Until this process undertaken by Indian consular officials has been completed, the persons will remain in Australia,'' he said.

It follows Mr Morrison's meeting in Delhi this week with India's Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, where they agreed to take back Indian nationals and would ''consider'' taking back the Sri Lankan nationals who were on the boat, Mr Morrison said.