Sagarika Mitra, Content Head of JAN KI BAAT sheds light on new developments in the case
This morning, India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar met with the families of the arrested Navy veterans, assuring them of the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to secure their release from Qatar. The families have expressed deep concerns and pain regarding the plight of their loved ones. The government is closely coordinating with them in this matter.
Former Navy personnel ‘tortured’ in Qatar?
This meeting comes at a time when reports have emerged that the incarcerated navy veterans, who were working for a private firm engaged in projects with Qatar’s armed forces, allegedly faced ‘torture’ and solitary confinement during their detention.
The ex Navy veterans were arrested last year in August over allegations that they had reportedly passed on sensitive information, although the specific charges have not been made public. The eight men, including seven retired navy officers and a former sailor, worked for the private firm Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, which carried out projects in partnership with Qatar’s armed forces.
As per a report in The Print, sources privy to the developments of the case, revealed that when the eight veterans were picked up, they were unaware that the others had also been arrested. All of them were placed in solitary confinement for several months, during which they reportedly endured ‘torture’ at the hands of Qatari intelligence officers.
The report in The Print goes on to say that details about the alleged torture have not been disclosed due to the sensitivity of the matter. However, the navy veterans did receive medical attention and necessary medications for their ailments, which ranged from high blood pressure to diabetes.
It wasn’t until Qatar granted consular access to the detainees in October last year that they learned about each other’s arrests. They remained in solitary confinement for 7 months until March this year when they were placed in cells in pairs. During their isolation, they were allowed limited access to the outdoors, though they were always alone.
Initially, phone calls were prohibited, but they were eventually granted the permission to make two phone calls per week. In January, the spouses of the detained veterans were allowed to meet them.
‘On Sunday, the detailed order in the case will come and we will decide on the future course of action based on that,’ said a government source to a news portal
Is there a Pak link to the arrest of Indian Navy Veterans?
“The Qatari agency had arrested them based on suspicion, which could have been fuelled by a certain country inimical to us,” claimed a report quoting a highly placed source. It’s important to note here that one week after ex Pakistani Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif’s visit to Qatar in August, last year – 8 Indian Navy personnel were arrested by Qatari authorities on August 30, 2022. Their death sentence came 2 weeks after the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces, Lieutenant General (Pilot) Salem Hamad Eqail Al-Nabet held talks with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir in Rawalpindi on October 12, 2023
Detailed court order expected this week?
While the detailed court order in their case will soon be made available, the legal way forward for the incarcerated veterans involves approaching Qatar’s Court of Appeal. If unsuccessful, they may need to appeal to the Court of Cassation, with the final hope resting on the Emir of Qatar’s authority to pardon or commute sentences. The Emir typically issues pardons only on specific occasions, such as Eid and Qatar’s National Day.
While the charges against the veterans — Captain Navtej Singh Gill (retd), Captain Saurabh Vasisht (retd), Commander Purnendu Tiwari (retd), Captain Birendra Kumar Verma (retd), Commander Sugunakar Pakala (retd), Commander Sanjeev Gupta (retd), Commander Amit Nagpal (retd), and former sailor Ragesh — have not been made public, sources confirmed that the allegations were with regard to the leaking of sensitive information.
The Delicate Balance of India-Qatar Relations:
India and Qatar have maintained robust trade relations, with bilateral trade reaching $17.2 billion in 2022. Qatar is a significant supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India, contributing to over 40% of the country’s requirements. A large Indian expatriate community of around 7 lakh people significantly contributes to both nations’ economies. Additionally, the two countries share cooperation in defense and have deepened their ties over the years.
Duality in Qatar’s Approach towards India:
However, beneath the surface of these strong bilateral ties, a pattern of duality emerges in Qatar’s approach to India. Qatar took a strong stance against India, most notably during the Nupur Sharma controversy when it accused India of Islamophobia. It demanded an apology from India a week after the incident had occurred. Furthermore, Qatar granted citizenship to the late painter M.F. Husain, who had faced accusations of hurting religious sentiments in India.
Qatari Media’s portrayal of India:
Qatar’s media outlet, Al Jazeera, is known for its one-sided coverage of India, sometimes offering a biased perspective on India’s actions and diplomatic disputes. This selective portrayal creates challenges for building mutual trust and understanding.
The case of the eight former Indian naval officers is a litmus test for India-Qatar relations. As the legal process unfolds and diplomatic efforts intensify, the outcome will reveal the depth of understanding and cooperation between the two nations. In the face of these challenges, it is imperative for India and Qatar to maintain open communication and build trust to ensure a positive resolution to this complex situation.
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