The Narendra Modi administration moved quickly to address the Indian Navy veterans’ situation, even though it had been going on for almost two years. This was because a Qatari court had decided a few months prior that they would be given the death penalty.
Backchannel negotiations were headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, while diplomatic efforts were handled by the Ministry of External Affairs, chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. According to reliable sources, the Indian NSA met with the leadership of Dahra Global on two or three occasions during the rescue effort of the Indian naval veterans employed by the company.
While the death sentence was mitigated by Qatari authorities last month, marking a significant victory, the Indian side persisted in its efforts to retrieve the sailors. Additionally, the Prime Minister visited Dubai in November of last year and spoke with the leadership of Qatar directly about the issue. The Indian side was able to secure the release of the Indian Navy veterans from the Middle Eastern nation by means of persistent efforts and the application of various forms of diplomatic measures.
Eight former members of the Indian Navy who had been held in the Gulf nation on suspicion of espionage have now been freed by Qatar.
In a statement issued early on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) hailed the development and stated that seven of the eight former members of the Indian Navy who were employed by the private company Dahra Global Company have returned to India from Qatar.
