Eight ex-Indian Navy members who were detained in Qatar were freed

It might be said that India has pulled off a “diplomatic coup” with the release of the eight Indian navy veterans who had been held captive in Doha.

Commander Purnendu Tiwari is a veteran who is no longer in captivity, although he remains in Doha.

“The Cassation court case, which was nearing its conclusion, was ultimately resolved out of court. The Indian government and diplomatic delegation deserve much praise.

According to a source, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conversation with the Emir of Qatar is what worked.”

The Interior Ministry of Qatar detained the eight Indian navy veterans, who were employed by Dhara Global in Doha, on August 31, 2022, on suspicion of espionage.

Following months of being held in solitary confinement, they were eventually charged. The situation worsened on October 23, 2023, when the death penalty was declared. Afterwards, this was reduced to prison time, and the matter was sent to the court of cassation.

Relatives of the veterans were not informed of their release until just before they departed Doha.

Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vashisht, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal, and Sailor Ragesh are the seven navy veterans who have made their way back to India.

The decision to release the senior officers was welcomed by the Union government, which issued an official statement stating, “The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian citizens who were held in Qatar while working for the Dahra Global corporation. Of the eight, seven have gone back to India. We are grateful that the Emir of the State of Qatar made the decision to allow these citizens’ freedom and return home.”