Qatar has released eight Indian nationals, formerly officers in the Indian navy, after previously sentencing them to death, a decision that had strained diplomatic relations between the two countries for over a year and a half, the Indian foreign ministry announced Monday.
The individuals had been accused of espionage on behalf of Israel, though neither Indian nor Qatari authorities have officially confirmed these allegations. The death sentences, issued in October, were revoked in December, a move India credits to the Emir of Qatar.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been closely monitoring the situation, is scheduled to meet with Qatari ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a visit to Qatar on February 14, according to India's foreign secretary.
Seven of the freed men have already returned to India, with efforts underway to repatriate the eighth, the ministry stated. Some of the returnees have publicly attributed their release to Prime Minister Modi's direct involvement and his diplomatic relationship with Qatar.
The arrests in August 2022 had put a strain on the relationship between India and Qatar, a key supplier of natural gas to India, one of the largest energy importers globally. The individuals were reportedly working for a private firm on projects related to the Qatari Navy at the time of their arrest.
This development follows a significant agreement between Qatari and Indian companies on liquefied natural gas supplies and a meeting between Modi and Sheikh Tamim during the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in December, where they discussed the welfare of the Indian community in Qatar.
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