No way home for eight Indian Navy veterans jailed by Qatar?

Qatar is reportedly framing charges against eight former Indian Navy officers who have been detained in the Gulf nation for nearly seven months, dashing their hopes of repatriation to India.

The retired officers, who were working for a private company that reportedly provides training to the Qatari Navy, have been held in solitary confinement since the end of August without a reason being specified. Their families have been seeking the Indian government’s help in securing their release and repatriation. The foreign ministry has said the matter is being dealt with on priority, but it has not been able to achieve a breakthrough even after seven months, prompting questions about its ability to exert diplomatic pressure on Qatar.

All this has played out against the backdrop of India’s strengthening relations with Qatar and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s recent suggestion that India is being respected globally for caring for its citizens living abroad.

State of uncertainty

The detained Indian Navy veterans have been informed that charges will be framed against them and that they will stand trial in Qatari courts, the New Indian Express reported on Thursday, citing unidentified persons aware of the development.

The former officers – Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purenendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander...

Read more