New Delhi, 12 February, 24: Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India The Indian Navy veterans were accused of spying for Israel, news agency Reuters reported, though India and Qatar did not confirm the charges against them. Their death sentence, handed down in October, was dropped in December. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who "personally supervised all developments" in the case, will visit Qatar on February 14 and hold talks with its ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, foreign secretary told reporters. The veterans, who were released by the Qatar court on Monday, are Captain Navtej Singh Gill (retired), Captain Saurabh Vasisht (retired), Commander Purnendu Tiwari (retired), Captain Birendra Kumar Verma (retired), Commander Sugunakar Pakala (retired), Commander Sanjeev Gupta (retired), Commander Amit Nagpal (retired), and Sailor Ragesh (retired).
India engaged in talks for months with Qatar after the veterans were arrested in August 2022, and the case challenged ties with Doha, a crucial natural gas supplier to India, which is one of the world's top energy importers. The veterans, employed by a private company, were supporting a number of programmes and activities for the Qatari Navy, a person with knowledge of the case told Reuters.
The news of the release comes days after Qatari and Indian companies signed their biggest single deal for supplies of liquefied natural gas and after Modi met Sheikh Tamim on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in December and discussed the "well-being of the Indian community in Qatar." More than 8 lakh Indian citizens live and work in Qatar. “We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals,” says Indian Foreign Ministry.
PM Modi to Visit Qatar After Release of 8 Navy Veterans
As the diplomatic landscape shifts following the release of the eight Indian Navy veterans from Qatar's custody, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant visit to the nation on February 14. The announcement comes hot on the heels of the heartening news of the veterans' return home, ending their 18-month ordeal.
Responding to queries about the timing of Modi's visit in light of the veterans' release, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra clarified that the prime minister's travel plans had been in motion for months, emphasizing the pre-planned nature of the visit. However, the symbolism of Modi's visit following the resolution of the veterans' case is not lost on observers, underscoring the importance of diplomatic engagement in addressing complex challenges.
The prime minister's proactive stance throughout the ordeal has been evident, with constant monitoring of the situation and strategic initiatives aimed at securing the veterans' release. While the specifics of Modi's discussions with Qatar's Emir, Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani, during the COP summit in Dubai in December remain undisclosed, the positive outcomes of those interactions are now apparent.
For the eight naval veterans, who endured detention since August 2022 and faced the daunting specter of a death sentence, Modi's intervention has been pivotal. Their gratitude towards Modi's efforts is palpable, as evidenced by their remarks to news agency ANI, acknowledging the instrumental role played by the prime minister in securing their freedom.
As Modi prepares to set foot in Qatar, his visit carries profound significance, symbolizing not just bilateral engagement but also the triumph of diplomacy in safeguarding the interests and well-being of Indian citizens abroad.
