A Diplomatic Victory? Qatar Releases 8 Jailed Indians – Kashmir Observer

New Delhi- Qatar has launched eight jailed former Indian Navy personnel and 7 of them returned dwelling on Monday, in what’s seen as a serious diplomatic victory for India that got here practically three-and-half months after a Qatari courtroom handed them loss of life sentence that was subsequently commuted to various jail phrases.

International Secretary Vinay Kwatra stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself continuously supervised all of the developments within the case and has by no means shied away from any initiatives that may make sure the return of the Indians. The seven Indian nationals reached Delhi by a non-public airline at round 2:35 am.

The international secretary, with out elaborating, stated New Delhi continues to work with the Qatari authorities to make sure the return of the eighth Indian shortly.

In an early morning assertion, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) stated India appreciates the choice by the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for enabling the discharge and home-coming of the Indians. It’s learnt that the Emir ordered the discharge of the eight Indians.

The Navy veterans apparently confronted expenses of espionage, however neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the costs towards them public.

“The Authorities of India welcomes the discharge of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra International firm who had been detained in Qatar,” the MEA stated.

“Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We respect the choice by the Emir of the State of Qatar to allow the discharge and home-coming of those nationals,” it stated in a quick assertion.

The eight nationals are: Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Purnendu Tiwari, Amit Nagpal, SK Gupta, BK Verma, and Sugunakar Pakala, and sailor Ragesh. Commander Tiwari couldn’t return on account of some pending paper work, folks aware of the matter stated.

“We’re grateful to the federal government and the prime minister Narendra Modi as it will not have been doable with out his intervention,” stated one of many returnees.

The Navy veterans had been on October 26 given loss of life sentences by Qatar’s Court docket of First Occasion. The Court docket of Enchantment within the Gulf nation on December 28 commuted the capital punishment and sentenced them to jail phrases for various durations. The Court docket of Enchantment had additionally given 60 days time to attraction towards the jail phrases.

In December, Prime Minister Modi had met the Qatari Emir on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai and mentioned the “well-being of the Indian neighborhood” in Qatar.

It’s learnt that Nationwide Safety Adviser Ajit Doval performed a key function within the negotiations with the Qatari authorities in securing the discharge of the Indians as he paid quite a few quiet visits to Doha.

The Indian nationals, who labored with personal firm Al Dahra, had been arrested in August 2022 reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. The fees had been filed towards the eight Indian navy veterans on March 25last 12 months they usually had been tried below Qatari legislation. In Could final 12 months Al-Dhara International closed its operations in Doha and all these working there (primarily Indians) have since returned dwelling.

The international secretary stated India is grateful to Qatar for the return of the Indians. “We’re gratified on their return. We deeply respect the choice of Qatar’s authorities and the Emir to launch them,” Kwatra stated.

“We’re pleased to have seven of these Indian nationals again. Eighth Indian nationwide has additionally been launched and we proceed to work with the Qatar authorities to see how shortly his return to India could be doable.”

“The prime minister has himself personally continuously supervised all of the developments on this case and has by no means shied away from any initiatives that may make sure the return of the Indian nationals again to dwelling,” he stated.

The international secretary declined to remark when requested whether or not the Qatar Emir granted a royal pardon to the Indians.

“We are able to discuss completely different terminology and so on.. whether or not it’s a launch or pardon..however I feel we must always see the information of what they’re. Seven of the eight Indian nationals within the Al Dahra case are again in India, again to their properties,” he stated.

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