Seven Indian Navy veterans of the eight, who were released by a Qatar court months after being sentenced to death on ‘espionage’ charges, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon their arrival in New Delhi on Monday morning. Interacting with reporters, some of the veterans claimed that they wouldn’t have been released without the sustained diplomatic efforts initiated by PM Modi to secure their freedom.
Former Indian Navy Officers Sing ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ Upon Return, Praise PM Modi for Their Release
The seven former Indian Navy officers, relieved to finally be free, sang “Bharat Mata ki Jai” at the Delhi airport, according to news agency ANI.
One of the Navy veterans praised Modi for discussing their punishment with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and ascribed their release to tireless diplomatic efforts at his request.
“I feel relieved and delighted to finally be back home safe and sound. I wish to thank Prime Minister Modi as this wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for his personal intervention to secure our release. I also wish to express my gratitude to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar,” he said.
Another freed former navy officer informed ANI, “Without the intervention of PM Modi, we would not have walked free. We wouldn’t be standing before you today had it not been for his untiring efforts and interventions at the highest levels to get us freedom.”
Former Indian Navy Officers Laud PM Modi’s Personal Intervention for Their Release from Qatar
One of the veterans also hailed the Indian government for its participation in ensuring their release, adding, “We, as well as our anxious family members back home, had been waiting for this day for a long time. It all worked out because of PM Modi and his personal intervention in the matter. He took up our case with the highest levels of the Qatari government and eventually secured our release. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude to him and the Emir of Qatar.”
“We are very happy to be back and it wouldn’t have been possible had the honourable Prime Minister not taken personal interest in the matter. I also thank the Qatar Emir for his personal involvement in the matter,” According to ANI, another former Indian Navy commander said.
“We waited almost 18 months to be back home to our loved ones in India. We are extremely grateful to PM Modi for getting us back. We wouldn’t have seen this day without the joint efforts of PM Modi and the Emir of Qatar. The personal equations that the two leaders share also helped in our release,” another Navy veteran said.
Earlier Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the release of eight Indian Navy veterans who had been sentenced to death in Qatar.
Details Emerge on Case of Indian Navy Veterans Detained in Qatar
The released Indian Navy veterans were working with Doha-based Al Dahra Global Technologies, a private firm that provided training and services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies. The eight men, including Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Purnendu Tiwari, Amit Nagpal, SK Gupta, BK Verma, Sugunakar Pakala, and sailor Ragesh, were detained in August 2022 on undisclosed charges.
In December 2023, Qatar’s Court of Appeal commuted their death sentences to varying prison terms, ranging from three years to 25 years. Captain Navtej Gill, for example, had received the President’s Gold Medal for excellence at the Naval Academy and had served as an instructor at the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Tamil Nadu.
While specific details of the charges were not provided by either Qatari or Indian authorities, reports indicated accusations of espionage. Purnendu Tiwari received a 25-year prison term, while Ragesh was sentenced to three years. The other former Navy officers received prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 years.
