India-Qatar understanding worked out well. On December 28, 2023, the Court of Appeal of Qatar reduced the death sentences of eight Indians to jail terms. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a statement said, “We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced.”
Bagchi in his statement further said, “We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities, adding that due to the “confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture.”
The ministry, in close contact with the legal team and the families of the accused, stated that it was awaiting the detailed judgment to decide on further steps. Throughout the process, Indian officials, including the Indian Ambassador to Qatar Shri Vipul, have been present in the court proceedings and have extended consular and legal assistance to the accused and their families.
Shri Vipul before taking up the charge of Ambassador of India to Qatar was Joint Secretary and in-charge of Gulf Division in Indian External Affairs Ministry.
The Dahra Global case in Qatar involves eight former Indian Navy personnel who were initially sentenced to death by Qatar’s Court of First Instance in October 2023. These individuals, identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar, were arrested in August 2022.
These former navy officers were employees of Al Dahra Global Technologies, a private firm based in Qatar that provided support solutions to various sectors including Aerospace, Security, Defense, Information Technology, and Communications. Their roles involved providing training and consultancy services to Qatar’s navy forces and advising on submarine acquisition.
The specific charges against these individuals were not officially disclosed by either New Delhi or Doha.
Qatar, a significant country in the Gulf region, maintains connections with various groups operating in the Middle East, including the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Its strategic position and diplomatic relations enable it to play a key role in the region. At the same time, Qatar recognizes the value of strong partnerships with nations like India to bolster its diplomatic influence and effectiveness in negotiations. India’s growing global stature and regional influence makes it a valuable ally for Qatar in pursuing more comprehensive and fruitful negotiations within the Middle East and beyond.
