Jaishankar also pledged close coordination with the families in pursuit of this objective
India is exerting significant efforts to secure the release of eight former naval officers currently facing death sentences in Qatar on charges of espionage. These officers, who were employed by Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a Qatari company providing training to the Gulf country’s armed forces, were arrested in August last year and faced their first trial in March. They were awarded death sentences by the Court of First Instance.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has expressed his commitment to this cause. He met with the family members of the eight officers and reassured them of the Indian government’s unwavering support to secure their release. In a statement, he emphasized the government’s high regard for the case and its deep empathy for the families of the imprisoned officers. Jaishankar also pledged close coordination with the families in pursuit of this objective.
Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has echoed this commitment, stating that every conceivable effort is being made to ensure the release of these former officers. The situation has raised considerable concern in India, given that the eight individuals include highly decorated officers with up to 20 years of service in the Indian Navy, and one, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, had received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians, in 2019.
India has expressed its profound dismay over the imposition of the death penalty on these officers and is actively exploring all available legal avenues to secure their release. Consular access to the imprisoned individuals has been granted, and the Indian government has worked tirelessly to secure their freedom.
Desperate family members of the officers have sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to facilitate their release. They stress the urgency of the situation and plead with the Prime Minister for his personal involvement, as they cannot envision anyone else capable of resolving this issue.
This situation presents a diplomatic and sensitive challenge for New Delhi, especially in light of the severity of the charges and sentences. India is concurrently dealing with a diplomatic dispute with Canada. Nevertheless, New Delhi and Doha have a history of cooperation across various sectors, characterized by longstanding and robust ties, including significant trade relations. In 2021-22, bilateral trade between India and Qatar reached $15.03 billion, with India exporting $1.83 billion worth of goods to Qatar and importing $13.19 billion. Moreover, Qatar hosts over 800,000 Indian citizens, making it the largest expatriate community in the nation.
Experts suggest that with skillful diplomacy, New Delhi can navigate this crisis without incurring substantial costs to its relationship with Qatar, particularly if the eight Indians receive reduced sentences or other legal relief. The India-Qatar partnership, marked by mutual economic interests and a large Indian expatriate community, remains a strong and generally harmonious one.
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