Qatar has pardoned eight former Indian navy officers, relieving them of death sentences, confirmed India’s foreign ministry on Monday, attributing the decision to the Qatari emir’s intervention over a year and a half after their arrest strained diplomatic relations.
Initially accused of espionage for Israel, the specifics of the charges were not officially confirmed by either India or Qatar. The dropping of their death sentences in December followed months of negotiations, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly overseeing developments in the case ahead of his upcoming visit to Qatar.
Seven of the men have returned to India, with efforts underway to repatriate the eighth. Upon their arrival in New Delhi, some expressed gratitude for Modi’s involvement, emphasizing its pivotal role in securing their release.
The incident, dating back to August 2022, had posed challenges to India-Qatar relations, critical given Qatar’s status as a significant natural gas supplier to India, a major importer of energy resources.
Employed by a private company, the officers had been supporting various Qatari Navy initiatives. Their release coincides with a landmark LNG deal between Qatari and Indian firms, signifying enhanced bilateral cooperation.
The diplomatic backdrop also includes discussions on Indian community welfare during Modi’s meeting with Sheikh Tamim at the COP28 climate summit. With over 800,000 Indian expatriates in Qatar, their well-being remains a priority.
