In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, eight former Indian Navy veterans who were sentenced to death in Qatar on charges of espionage have been released, marking a moment of relief and joy for their families and the nation at large.
Ragesh Gopakumar, one of the eight Navy veterans, arrived in his hometown Balaramapuram in Kerala and was warmly welcomed by his family members on Monday. Speaking to news agency PTI, Gopakumar attributed their survival during their ordeal in Qatar to their defence training. “We are just happy to be alive… happy to be home,” he expressed.
Gopakumar, who retired from the Indian Navy in 2017 and later joined the Oman Defence training company as a communications instructor, recounted the distress of being imprisoned in a foreign land. “Prison and confinement is something terrible,” he emphasized, echoing the sentiments of his fellow veterans.
The personal intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was instrumental in securing their release, Gopakumar acknowledged. He expressed hope during his captivity, knowing that if “Modiji intervened,” there was a chance for their freedom, albeit uncertain of the timeline.
“If an Indian is in trouble abroad and is innocent… if our PM is convinced about it, he will come to their rescue even if it is just one person… every Indian should know this,” Gopakumar emphasized, highlighting the commitment of the Indian government to its citizens.
The journey towards their release began when the eight Navy veterans were sentenced to death by Qatar’s Court of First Instance on October 26, 2023. However, the case received minimal attention within Qatar, with authorities maintaining silence and media blackout.
The breakthrough came in December 2023 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during the COP28 Summit in Dubai. Subsequently, on December 28, the Court of Appeal in Qatar commuted the capital punishment, substituting it with jail terms ranging from three to 25 years.
Reports suggest that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval played a pivotal role in negotiating with Qatari authorities for the release of the former Indian Navy veterans. The Union government, in an official statement on February 12, welcomed the decision and expressed gratitude towards the Amir of the State of Qatar for facilitating the release and repatriation of the nationals.
“The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar. Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals,” the statement read.
The return of the Navy veterans serves as a testament to the diplomatic efforts and the unwavering commitment of the Indian government to protect its citizens abroad. As they reunite with their families and loved ones, their resilience and the diplomatic triumph underscore the strength of bilateral relations and the importance of international cooperation in times of adversity.
Sources By Agencies