Qatar's decision to sentence eight Indian ex-navy personnel to death for espionage has sparked outrage and shock in India and abroad. The men, who were working as trainers for the Qatari navy, were arrested in August 2020 and kept in solitary confinement without any formal charges. On October 26, 2023, a Qatari court pronounced the death penalty for them, without giving any details of the evidence or the trial process.
The Indian government has expressed its "deep shock" at the verdict and said it is exploring all available legal options to challenge it. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that it is in touch with the families of the men and will take up the matter with the Qatari authorities at the highest level. The ministry also said that it has not received any official communication from Qatar regarding the verdict.
The families of the men have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind to intervene and save their lives. They have also sought the help of human rights groups and international organizations to pressure Qatar to revoke the death sentence. They have claimed that the men are innocent and have been framed by a rival company that wanted to sabotage their contract with the Qatari navy.
The eight men are: Punendu Tiwari, Rakesh Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, Ramesh Kumar, Prashant Kumar, Anil Kumar, Suresh Kumar, and Vinod Kumar. They are all retired officers of the Indian Navy who had served in various ranks and branches. They had joined Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provides training and related services to Qatar's armed forces. In 2019, Tiwari was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians by the Indian government, on the recommendation of the Qatari government.
According to media reports, the men were accused of spying for Israel and passing on sensitive information about Qatar's military and security affairs. However, no official confirmation or clarification has been given by Qatar on these allegations. Some reports have also suggested that the men were caught in a crossfire between two rival companies that were competing for lucrative contracts with Qatar's defence sector.
The death sentence for the men has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including political leaders, former diplomats, defence experts, human rights activists, and civil society groups. They have called it a gross violation of human rights and international law and demanded Qatar to respect the due process of law and ensure a fair trial for the men. They have also urged India to use its diplomatic clout and strategic ties with Qatar to secure their release.
Qatar is a key partner of India in West Asia and hosts more than 700,000 Indian expatriates who contribute to its economy and society. India and Qatar have also enhanced their cooperation in various fields, including energy, trade, investment, defence, security, culture, education, and health. In December 2020, Modi had held a virtual summit with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership.
The death sentence for the eight Indian ex-navy personnel has cast a shadow over this relationship and raised questions about Qatar's commitment to human rights and justice. It has also exposed the risks and challenges faced by Indian professionals working in foreign countries, especially in sensitive sectors like defence and security. It remains to be seen how India will deal with this crisis and what impact it will have on its ties with Qatar.