Qatar releases Indian Navy veterans: MEA claims Narendra Modi personally supervised developments and was going to Doha on February 14.

By – Prakarsh Kastwar

New Delhi confirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Qatar on February 14 shortly after the Navy veterans’ release.

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally oversaw the case of eight ex-Navy personnel on death row in Qatar, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Monday, just hours after the country announced their release. The officer further stated that PM Modi has never shied away from any attempt to ensure the return of ex-government officers.

“Having seven of those Indian nationals back makes us delighted. The foreign official stated, “We are in the process of coordinating with the government of Qatar to determine the quickest route for the release of the eighth Indian national.

“The prime minister has himself personally constantly supervised all the developments in this case and has never shied away from any initiatives that would ensure the return of the Indian nationals back to home,” he said in a statement.

Narendra Modi’s Qatar visit

Shortly after the Navy veterans’ release was announced, New Delhi declared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be visiting Doha, the capital of Qatar, on February 14.

“After ending his trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the prime minister will travel to Doha, Qatar on February 14 midday,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said during a media conference.

He will hold bilateral talks with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and other dignitaries.

Last year, eight former Indian Navy soldiers who were captured while working for a commercial company were sentenced to death. Neither the Indian government nor Qatari officials verified that they were detained on espionage accusations.

PM Modi took a personal interest in winning the release of the former Navy personnel. In December, he met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the margins of the COP28 Summit in Dubai to address the “well-being of the Indian community” in Qatar.

Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor, is said to have played a major role in negotiations with Qatari officials to secure the Indians’ release. He reportedly paid several silent visits to Doha.

Prime Minister Modi last visited Doha in June 2016.

Before that, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Qatar in 2008.

Who are these eight Indians released by Qatar ?

The eight Indian nationals detained in Qatar included Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Purnendu Tiwari, Amit Nagpal, SK Gupta, BK Verma, and Sugunakar Pakala, and Sailor Ragesh.

While seven of these guys have returned, Commander Tiwari was unable to return owing to unresolved paperwork.