After the recent diplomatic spat with Canada, India is now faced with a challenging situation in its relations with Qatar, an oil and gas-rich Middle Eastern Arab country that happens to be an important destination for lakhs of Indians seeking jobs. In an alleged espionage case, Qatar’s Court of First Instance has rather harshly sentenced eight retired Indian Navy officers to death. According to Qatar, they worked for Al Dahra, a company engaged in providing complete support systems to aerospace, defence, and security industries. The company’s owner was also arrested but has been excluded from the case.
Given that the proceedings of the case were kept secret citing national security for more than a year, it could be inferred that the ‘offence’ is sensitive in nature. But what complicates the matter even more for India is the lack of any details on the charges framed against the eight Navy veterans, making it difficult to resolve the impasse amicably using the diplomatic framework.
As India grapples with a situation where it lacks comprehensive information or clarity, it can leverage its strong ties with Qatar to navigate toward a diplomatically favourable outcome.
Strong India-Qatar ties
India and Qatar enjoy a long and mutually beneficial relationship involving economic, defence, and cultural interests. The ties have been strengthened by high-level visits—Emir Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani visiting India in March 2015, followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelling to Qatar in June 2016. The two countries have agreed to constitute an inter-ministerial high-level joint committee to regularly review all bilateral matters, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The India-Qatar Defence Cooperation agreement, signed in 2008 during then-PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Qatar, is seen as an important milestone by both countries.
Such a strong bond cannot be allowed to deteriorate because the two nations couldn’t arrive at a common ground. So what can India and Qatar do?
Also read: Solitary confinement, ‘painful wait’— ordeal of 8 ex-Indian Navy officers facing gallows in Qatar
Rethink the punishment
While New Delhi is conscious of Doha’s security concerns, Qatar must also respect the rule of law and apply all the parameters of justice, fair play, and probity besides considering the humanitarian aspects of the case. Neither country will benefit if Qatar insists on carrying out the death sentence or keeps it pending indefinitely.
Doha should also consider the emerging crisis in the Middle East following the brutal attack on Israel by Hamas and the fierce retaliation by the Israeli military in Gaza. By fuelling suspicions about the possible Israeli involvement in the alleged spying case, Doha could be drawn into a trap, albeit inadvertently, laid by pro-Hamas elements. Hamas opened its office in Doha in 2012 and several Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh and former head Khaled Meshaal, have their bases here. Many non-state actors and terror outfits are believed to be operating from Qatar.
Even if there is an iota of truth in such allusions, it will only add credence to the charge that Qatar is increasingly becoming a base for non-state actors, terrorists, and mercenary groups operating in various countries. In fact, between 2017 and 2021, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had severed their diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar and declared air and sea blockade on allegations that it supported terror outfits while drifting towards Iran. The blockade was later lifted in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting in 2021. It would be in the best interests of Qatar not to get involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict and lose its credibility.
Qatar should also consider the facts and circumstances of the case before concluding on the charges of spying and/or espionage. It is possible that the officers were in possession of some information obtained routinely during their work but did not consider it inimical to the country’s security. The benefit of doubt in this case is certainly due, not least because the punishment does not seem to be commensurate with their intent.
Also Read: Families of Navy veterans jailed in Qatar appeal to Modi govt — ‘walk the talk, bring them back’
India’s diplomatic challenge
In the Italian marines’ case, it was suggested that the accused, if sentenced, could complete their term in an Italian jail. India could ask Qatar to adopt a similar approach, where the death sentence is reduced to life imprisonment and the retired naval officers are brought back to serve any such punishment in an Indian jail.
During the Emir’s 2015 visit, India and Qatar discussed several issues of mutual interest and signed six MOUs on areas including transfer of sentenced persons.
Many diplomacy experts have suggested that the ruler of Qatar could grant a pardon to the retired officers during the holy month of Ramzan. For that, though, an appeal would have to be made from the highest level, say the President of India.
While New Delhi is seriously considering all available options to resolve the issue, the best that some of the over-enthusiastic commentators, overnight experts, a section of the TRP hungry media, and the attention seeking politicians must refrain from head-butting over the matter and leave it to the MEA and the government agencies to find a solution.
Seshadri Chari is the former editor of ‘Organiser’. He tweets @seshadrichari. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)