India’s Struggle in Qatar: Fate of 8 Former Navy Officers Hangs in the Balance

India Faces Serious Challenges as Eight Indian Nationals Sentenced to Death in Qatar

In a troubling development for India, the Court of First Instance in Qatar has sentenced eight Indian nationals to death on unspecified espionage charges. These ex-servicemen of the Indian Navy have been in detention in Doha since last year, and New Delhi expressed its “deep shock” at the verdict. The Indian government is currently exploring all possible legal and diplomatic options, although it has yet to receive the official copy of the Qatari court’s judgment.

The eight Indian Navy veterans, who were employees of a private company called Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year by Qatar’s intelligence agency. Interestingly, the owner of the company, an ex-serviceman of the Royal Oman Air Force, was also arrested but later released in November. However, the Indian nationals continued to be tried in a highly secretive manner, and Qatar’s refusal to provide details of the case has raised concerns.

For India, this case not only raises questions about the treatment of its retired servicemen but also calls into question the nature of its relationship with Qatar. With more than 700,000 Indians residing in Qatar and the country meeting a significant portion of India’s LNG requirements, the bilateral ties have been strong in recent years. The two nations also have a framework agreement on defense and security cooperation, including joint maritime training and defense manufacturing.

The Middle East has been a foreign policy success for the Modi government, with India forging strong ties with Arab states in the Gulf beyond just energy and diaspora linkages. The region has assumed strategic importance for India, leading to a wider regional policy response. However, the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict, has complicated intra-regional ties. Qatar’s decision to challenge its relationship with India adds further complexity, especially as some reports suggest the allegations involve spying for Israel.

India must proceed cautiously in its response to this crisis, considering the sentiments of its 1.4 billion citizens. Options such as high-level political engagement, appeals processes, and invoking the provisions of the 2015 pact on the transfer of sentenced prisoners will need to be explored. However, New Delhi must also remind Doha that the future of their bilateral relationship is at stake. Failure to resolve this crisis amicably may jeopardize future cooperation under public pressure.

The timing and severity of the Qatari court’s punishment are unclear, but the implications for India-Qatar ties could be far-reaching. Qatar’s previous lack of sensitivity to Indian concerns about extremist voices may no longer be overlooked, particularly in light of the predicament facing the ex-Indian servicemen. Despite significant convergences between Doha and New Delhi, this case has the potential to cause lasting damage to their bilateral relationship.

Disclaimer: These opinions are solely those of the author.