New Delhi: PM Modi secured a significant diplomatic win by leveraging his personal rapport with the Emir of Qatar to ensure the release of Indian Navy personnel from imprisonment in Doha.

Through Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close ties with the Emir of Qatar and the discreet diplomatic efforts led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the release of eight former Indian Navy personnel from custody was successfully secured.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar managed the diplomatic aspect, but the intricate negotiations for the release of ex-Navy personnel were orchestrated by NSA Doval, following PM Modi’s guidance. NSA Doval made discreet visits to Doha, firmly believing that the Qatari leadership would grasp the nuances of the Indian perspective.

In October, a Qatari court handed down a death sentence to the veterans, a move that deeply alarmed the Indian government. The charges against the former Navy officers were not officially disclosed by the Qatari government, but there were reports suggesting allegations of espionage. In December, the court revised their sentences, though specific details remained undisclosed at that time.

During the COP28 summit in Dubai, PM Modi engaged in discussions with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, focusing on bilateral partnerships and the welfare of the Indian community residing in Qatar.

In the context of the ongoing legal proceedings, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted the temporal significance of the situation, mentioning a 60-day window for potential appeals in the Court of Cassation, Qatar’s highest court. The MEA’s legal team possesses the confidential court order detailing the transformation of the death sentences into imprisonment terms. This development was disclosed through a press release following the court of appeal’s verdict on December 28.

“We released a press statement informing you that the initial death sentences have been commuted to imprisonment terms. Our legal team has the official court order, confirming varying durations of sentences, and the death penalty has been nullified,” stated Jaiswal, the MEA spokesperson.

Emphasizing the positive aspects of the recent meeting between PM Modi and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, Jaiswal added that they had constructive discussions on the broader bilateral relationship.