Release of Naval Veterans: A Triumph of PM Modi’s Personal Diplomacy

Eight former Indian Naval officers were released from the Qatari prison, after having been on death row for some time and subsequently undergoing long prison terms. Seven of them returned to Bharat in the early hours of Monday, February 12, 2024. The return marks a significant triumph of Indian diplomacy and demonstrates India’s rising stature globally, along with the effectiveness of its determined campaigning and calculated involvement in international affairs. These decorated veterans faced an unsettling development when a Qatari court sentenced them to death in October 2023, after having been held in solitary confinement since August 2022 without any formal charges. They were subsequently charged with spying for Israel. At one stage their future looked bleak, but a well-planned combination of assertive diplomacy, smart legal strategy and direct intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resulted in them being pardoned by the Emir of Qatar and subsequent release.

These naval veterans worked for Dahara Global, a company that was set up by one of them in collaboration with a retired officer of Omani Air Force. The company was training personnel of the Qatari Navy, a field that has traditionally been dominated by the Europeans. The company set up the Naval Academy for Qatari Navy, besides diversifying into maintenance, logistics and many other fields. This caused deep consternation among European powers, which felt that they had the sole prerogative to train their erstwhile colonial subjects. The company employed around 200 personnel from around 40 countries but an overwhelming majority consisted of former naval personnel. The entire senior management, with the sole exception of Omani CEO, was made up of former officers of the Indian Navy. It was such an extraordinary achievement that the Managing Director of the company, Commander Purnendu Tiwari was bestowed with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2019. The rising influence of Bharat in the security establishment of Qatar caused alarm amongst various powers that have traditionally been inimical to India.

Solitary Confinement

Consequently, a conspiracy was hatched, which resulted in eight of them being picked up from their homes individually on August 30, 2022, under garb of a training commitment and put in solitary confinement. They were subjected to intense psychological and physical trauma for the initial few weeks. Those picked included highly decorated veterans including Managing Director and the next two in hierarchy, who headed the most important verticals of the company. It took some time before even the family members got the wind of what had happened. Those confined did not even know that others had been picked up as well, till they were presented before the court. Long period of solitary confinement caused enormous physical and psychological impact on the aging veterans. It is commonly established that solitary confinement has a detrimental impact on people’s mental and emotional health, frequently resulting in severe psychological suffering and long-term trauma.

Ordeal of Families

Moreover, the families of the former Navy officers suffered months of uncertainty, anxiety and emotional pain. It is clear that the ordeal they went through had a significant effect on them. Their loved ones’ abrupt departure, coupled with protracted quiet and ignorance, must have been excruciating and extremely traumatic. In fact, two of the detained officers had their daughters getting married, while they were incarcerated. One can well imagine the sense of helplessness of both the detained fathers as well as the other family members.

Subsequently, the veterans were charged with espionage. It is believed that they were accused of spying for Israel, a ludicrous charge for a company that was doing extremely well in Qatar and intended to expand its operations to other Arab countries and had no scope in Israel. They were all sentenced to death in October 2023. One can well imagine the trauma of being incarcerated with the threat of a death sentence looming large. The sentence caused deep despondency amongst the family members and friends as well as the larger public in India.

Qatar, which is a small peninsula, jutting out of the larger Arabian Peninsula has vast reserves of natural gas. It is one of the largest exporters of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which makes its per capita income amongst the highest in the world. Its population of 2.7 million includes almost 60 per cent migrant labour, of which Indian citizens constitute the largest chunk. The state is an absolute monarchy, with Salafi Islam as its State religion. India has been a major buyer of LNG from Qatar. However, despite a large diaspora and trade, India’s relations with Qatar have been indifferent. In fact, a few months after the naval veterans had been incarcerated, during the Indian Vice President’s visit to Qatar in November 2022, the state banquet was cancelled.

The strategic contacts that Prime Minister Modi had with the leadership of Qatar demonstrate the critical role that his competent leadership played in overcoming the difficult international affairs

It is in this light that one needs to look at the ramifications of Indian veterans’ release from Qatar. Although the MEA has been negotiating with the authorities in Qatar and providing assistance to the families of incarcerated veterans, the first positive signs emerged on December 1, 2023, when Prime Minister Modi met Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of COP28 Summit in Dubai. Although the content of their discussions was never made public, the photograph released exhibited a great personal chemistry between the two leaders. Sure enough on December 28, the death sentence awarded to the veterans was reduced to varying jail terms. Subsequently, on February 6, 2024, India and Qatar signed a big deal for the supply of 7.5 million tons of LNG per year, thereby renewing an existing agreement, which was to expire in 2028, and within a week the veterans were released.

PM’s Rapport with Emir

This release has ramifications that go beyond simple diplomatic achievement. It is a symbol of India’s increasing importance and influence in world politics, particularly in areas that have historically been controlled by Western nations. India has proven its ability to uphold the rights and interests of its nationals overseas and to make a statement about its global influence by skilfully negotiating the release of these veterans. This also emphasises how India’s relations with countries in the Persian Gulf and the Arab world are improving. The strategic contacts that Prime Minister Modi had with the leadership of Qatar demonstrate the critical role that his competent leadership played in overcoming the difficult international affairs. Securing the release of the former Navy officers was made possible in large part by his personal interaction with the Emir of Qatar.

The complexities of this diplomatic achievement highlight a multifaceted strategy that highlights India’s dedication to defending the welfare and rights of its nationals overseas. It is an evidence of India’s skill in diplomacy and its dedication to improving the well-being of its citizens, regardless of their location. It reaffirms its commitment to fostering strong diplomatic ties and ensuring the safety and security of its diaspora, which has emerged as a powerful tool of Indian diplomacy and has enhanced India’s stature politically, as well as economically by making India the largest destination of global remittances.

(Views expressed are personal and not of India Foundation)