Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “Much to lose if the ‘Indian Navy veterans in Qatar’ case festers” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, India faced a diplomatic challenge when eight former Indian Navy officials held in Qatar on unknown charges was sentenced to death by a Qatari ‘Court of First Instance’. 

Dahra Global Technologies 

• The Omani Company: The veterans were working for Dahra Global Technologies, in an associated vertical based out of Doha. 
• Training: The area of expertise of Dahra at Doha was in training the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF). 
• Need an Examination: The company and the kind of work it has been doing since 2009-10 needs deeper examination, as the company website was deactivated soon after news broke of the naval officials being imprisoned. 

India-Qatar Relations – Key Points

• A High Migration Population: Qatar has a unique demography where expatriates and migrant workers make up almost 88% of the population.
• Relations: The kingdom of Qatar has traditionally enjoyed a warm and cordial relationship with India. 
  • Various requests were made between 2006 and 2008 from various levels of the Qatari establishment and the QENF to provide training for their sailors and junior officers. 

Also Read: Qatar Court Sentences 8 Ex Indian Navy Officials to Death: How It Affects India-Qatar Relations

Training the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF)

• Training the QENF was a vital aspect of India-Qatar bilateral defense cooperation and foreign policy.
• Lack of progress and delays on the Indian side led to private enterprises like Commander Purnendu Tiwari’s initiative.

Role of Commander Purnendu Tiwari and His Team

• Cdr. Tiwari established a successful enterprise in Singapore.
• His model provided a post-retirement career option for Indian Navy personnel.
• They were primarily involved in junior-level training and had no connection to submarine projects.

The Path Ahead

• Legal processes in Qatar have two levels left (Court of Appeals and Court of Cassation).
• The Emir has the authority to pardon or grant clemency.
• Qatar’s history does not heavily involve executions, but uncertainties remain.
• The veterans, mostly in their late fifties and sixties, could face life imprisonment if the death sentence is commuted.

Conclusion:

For India, Qatar is a friendly foreign country and there is an existing bilateral agreement to expatriate convicted citizens. However, Article 4 of the agreement excludes the death penalty. Now, the time has come for India to appeal to Qatar to consider a complete and unconditional pardon for all eight Indian navy officials which will be in the best interest of both countries.