Consular Access granted to former Indian Naval Personnel in Qatar
Image Source: Mint
Indian ambassador to Qatar, Mr. Vipul, recently met the eight former Indian Navy officers facing the death penalty in the West Asian nation. The meeting took place after consular access was granted to the Indian Embassy by the Qatari government for the ex-naval officers under custody. Though consular access was also given in November earlier this year, this is the first time that the Indian envoy has visited them in this case.
The case pertains to the imprisonment of eight ex-Indian Navy personnel, who were arrested by the Qatari intelligence service on August 30, 2022, on likely grounds of spying for Israel. During their arrest, this personnel were working for the Al Dahra company, which has been providing training and other services to security and defence forces in Qatar.
The case was heard in Qatar’s court of First Instance, which delivered its verdict recently on October 26, 2023. The court, in a shocking judgment, awarded the death sentence to all eight ex-Indian naval personnel. This news sent shockwaves throughout India, with the Indian government expressing ‘deep shock’ over the judgment.
New Delhi gave assurances to the families of the convicted men that this issue would be taken up on a priority basis with the Qatari authorities at all levels. As a result, an appeal was filed against the order in a higher court. The court has held two hearings so far in the case, and the third hearing is expected to take place in the following week.
India has said that it is ‘closely following the case,’ and a ‘positive outcome’ is expected in the coming days. The development came a few days after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of COP-28 in Dubai last week. There have been news reports that the issue was taken up for discussion during the meeting, but both the governments have not confirmed anything in this regard.
India and Qatar share strong historical, cultural, and economic ties, and the bilateral relationship has been mutually beneficial for both countries. Qatar hosts a large number of Indian diasporas, and India, on the other hand, serves as one of the biggest markets for Qatar’s oil and gas supplies. Therefore, it is imperative for both nations to resolve any such issues that arise between them in a peaceful and cooperative manner and ensure that their relations continue to flourish.
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