In an alleged espionage case, the Gulf country’s Court of Appeal remitted their punishment. The decision was made a few weeks after Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Dubai during the COP28 meeting.
In August 2022, the Indian nationals were arrested when they were employed by Al Dahra Global Technologies, a private corporation based in Doha, on a submarine project. In October of this year, the Court of First Instance in Qatar sentenced them to death.
Source: The New Indian Express
According to reports, the former Navy officers have been found guilty of espionage for Israel, even though the allegations have not been made public by the Qatari government. The only remaining legal option available to the convicts is to file an appeal with the Court of Cassation, which is the highest court in the legal system of Qatar.
India hopes that the 2014 deal between the two countries will allow the offenders to complete the remainder of their sentences at home. The best that can happen is that the Emir may forgive them. Based on India’s approach to the matter, it appears improbable that the accusations made against them are wholly false.
Source: Wion
There is no doubt that the case has embarrassed the Indian government, even in the midst of the general relief and backlash over the sentence commuting. Given that it has cordial relations with both Tel Aviv and Doha, New Delhi has had to walk a fine line.
There is serious worry over the reported mercenary activities of retired Indian defence personnel by another country. In addition to having broader geopolitical repercussions, such James Bond-style adventurism can negatively affect bilateral relations. India must be cautious of any actions that could harm its standing internationally, given the current crisis in West Asia and Qatar’s role as a go-between for Israel and Hamas.
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