Eight Indian Navy veterans sentenced to death, India must ready all options
Qatar has developed a very close relationship with terrorist groups like Taliban, Hamas and countries like Pakistan, Turkey and even USA. Since last few years it has even begun acting bigger than its boots in affairs of Middle East and even Afghanistan.
Now Qatar has directly CHALLANGED India too by first arresting eight retired naval personnel on trumpt up espionage charges and now after nearly a year have sentenced them to death.
This is just not acceptable to the citizens of India and should never be acceptable to the Govt of India, under any circumstances, whatsoever. All means of diplomacy and politics must be employed to get these retired personnel freed. Though if these fail then continuation of this POLITICS & DIPLOMACY by other means also should be an option, albeit the last one.
Handing over of death penalty to eight former naval officers in Qatar following allegations of spying for Israel,was a shocking judgement. The foreign ministry said it would not comment much on the case given the “confidential nature of proceedings” but assured that it would contest the case.
We must start consulting all our friends in the Middle East …UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran and get the issue resolved.
Nearly 25% of people in Qatar are Indians. Banning Qatar Airways flights from and to India will be a big shocker. Then pulling them out at once will simply collapse Qatar as a country. Another way is to grab a few prominent Qataris and then negotiate.
Also enough indication must be given that Indian Navy is bristling with anger. An angry Indian Navy is a very dangerous entity. Even US Navy will have to be told to mind its own, if push comes to shove with Qatar and a naval show of strength or even a blockade is done.
Our Foreign Affairs chaps, who do not get angered easily said “We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options. “
“We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities,” the ministry statement read.
The men, including decorated officers who once commanded major Indian warships, were working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces.
Sources said some of them were working on a highly sensitive project — Italian technology-based midget submarines with stealth characteristics.
The men have been in jail since August 2022. Granted consular access to them, New Delhi has been working to secure their release. The men went to trial in March. Their bail pleas were rejected numerous times and their detention extended by Qatari authorities. Today, the Court of First Instance of Qatar passed a judgement.
Those sentenced are Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh.
These Ex Navy officers are the pride of the nation and it is high time that they all are brought back to India immediately without any further delay.
