Indian Ambassador Holds Meeting with Eight Navy Veterans Sentenced to Death in Qatar

India’s ambassador to Qatar visited the eight ex-Navy personnel who were sentenced to death in October for reasons that are still unknown. The Indian government announced that the ambassador had consular access to the prisoners on December 3. The appeal against the death sentence has had two hearings so far, with the next one expected soon. The meetings between the ambassador and the sailors have been seen as a positive step, as it addresses concerns over consular access. Additionally, the fact that there have been two hearings since India filed its appeal is also seen as a positive development. This news comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, during the CoP28 summit in Dubai. The specifics of their meeting have not been disclosed, but it appears that the Prime Minister has raised the issue directly with the Qatari ruler. In November, a Qatari court accepted India’s formal appeal against the death sentence, which had shocked the Indian government. The eight ex-Navy officers, who include decorated individuals with experience commanding major Indian warships, were arrested by Qatar’s intelligence agency in August last year for alleged spying. Their families have denied the allegations, stating that they were in Qatar to provide training and related services to the country’s armed forces. They claim that there is no evidence to support the spying accusations.