Back from Qatar

THE release of eight former Indian Navy personnel, who were sentenced to death in Qatar, comes as a huge relief. It’s being viewed as an outcome of intense negotiations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Credit must also go to all those in the diplomatic community and the security establishment who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their release marks the end of a harrowing period for the Navy veterans and their families. Yet, as a Congress leader put it succinctly, it is a matter of quiet celebrations for all Indians. The charges against the eight were grave. They were arrested in August 2022 for alleged espionage. In December last year, the death penalty was commuted to imprisonment. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi has made the charges public. It is unlikely that the cloak of secrecy would be lifted.

Working for a technology and consultancy firm, the veterans were arrested supposedly on the charges of spying on a submarine programme on behalf of Israel. Insinuations were made linking it to efforts aimed at preventing the development of military technologies in West Asia. The role of Pakistan also came under the scanner for trying to muddy the waters. Only the veterans can answer whether they were caught in a geo-political maelstrom not of their making, or acted irresponsibly and recklessly, or the charges against them were false. The Government of India lent them its full support, but such steadfast commitment cannot be taken for granted.

The Qatar case calls for putting in place protocols for re-employment of defence personnel. It should also serve as a terse reminder of the pitfalls of not reading the fine print while signing up for professional commitments, and the enormous risks that transgressions pose.

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#Indian Navy #Narendra Modi #Qatar