In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Qatar has frees eight Indian Navy veterans who were detained on espionage charges. This development marks a positive turn in international relations between the two nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in an announcement early Monday:

They expressed appreciation for the action and revealed that seven of the eight former Indian Navy personnel. Employed by the private firm Dahra Global Company, have returned to India from Qatar.

However, the Indian government acknowledges the release of eight Indian citizens employed by the Dahra Global Company, who were held in custody in Qatar.

Moreover, Seven of them have already returned to India. We express gratitude for the decision made by the Amir of the State of Qatar to facilitate the release and repatriation of these individuals. 

In December of last year, a Qatari court commuted the death sentences of the eight Indian Navy veterans involved in the Dahra Global case, reducing them to prison terms.

This decision followed the acceptance of an appeal by the Indian government.

Against the death sentences imposed on the Navy veterans by Qatar’s Court of First Instance.

The noteworthy development occurred several weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during the COP28 summit in Dubai.

The individuals among the eight Indian Navy personnel detained in Qatar are:

Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht

Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh.

Navy Veterans Express Gratitude to PM Modi:

Accompanied by chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, the Indian Navy veterans arrived in Delhi early in the morning and expressed their gratitude to PM Modi for his involvement in resolving the matter.

“One of the Navy veterans remarked, ‘Our presence here wouldn’t have been possible without PM Modi’s intervention. This outcome is also a result of the ongoing efforts by the Government of India,'”

His fellow veteran echoed similar sentiments, stating, “We patiently awaited our return to India for nearly 18 months. We are profoundly thankful to the Prime Minister. His direct involvement and rapport with Qatar made this achievement possible.”