INDIA
- QATAR RELATIONS – INTERNATIONAL
News:
8 Indian Navy veterans
sentenced to death in Qatar: 3 options India could explore
What's
in the news?
●
The recent verdict of the death penalty
for eight Indian Navy officials in Qatar has sent shockwaves through diplomatic
circles.
●
The Indian MEA expressed deep shock and
initiated a quest for legal remedies.
Key
details of the case:
●
Arrest
Details: The Indian Embassy learned about their arrests
in mid-September the previous year.
●
Consular
Access: The first consular access was granted on October
3, more than a month after their detention.
●
Solitary
Confinement: While the specific charges were
never disclosed publicly, the detainees’ confinement in solitary cells hinted
at possible security-related offences.
Options
for India:
●
Legal
process: The case is in what is called ‘The Court of First
Instance’. Four hearings have taken place. The Indian government is going to
help the Indians challenge the death sentence in higher courts and seek
reprieve from the death penalty.
●
Mercy
petition: The families have filed a mercy plea with the Emir of
Qatar, who is known to give out pardons during Ramadan and Eid. This is also
being pursued by the Indian government’s help.
●
Political
and diplomatic options: The matter has been taken up by the
Indian government at various official and political levels. India’s diplomatic
efforts will be a test of its multifaceted ties with the tiny but powerful Gulf
state, with whom it has worked to build friendly relations.
India
- Qatar Relations:
1.
Historical Relations:
●
India and Qatar have maintained friendly
relations for decades. PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Qatar in 2008 marked a
significant turning point, followed by reciprocal visits from the Emir of Qatar
and PM Narendra Modi.
2.
Economic Ties:
●
The bilateral trade between India and
Qatar, valued at $15 billion, primarily involves LNG and LPG exports from Qatar
to India.
3.
Defence Cooperation:
●
Defence cooperation is a key component of
India-Qatar ties, with the India-Qatar Defence Cooperation Agreement serving as
a pivotal milestone.
Importance
of Qatar to India:
1.
Expatriate Community:
●
Indians constitute the largest expatriate
community in Qatar, with approximately 800,000 individuals working and living
there.
2.
Remittances:
●
The flow of remittances from Qatar and the
safety of Indian citizens makes Qatar vital for India’s interests.
3.
Energy Security:
●
Qatar is the largest supplier of LNG to
India, making it critical for India’s energy security.
4.
GCC Membership:
●
Qatar’s membership in the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) is strategically significant for India, especially concerning
issues like Kashmir.
5.
UNSC Support:
●
India’s bid for a permanent seat at the
United Nations Security Council requires support from countries like Qatar.
6.
Business Presence:
●
Several Indian companies, including Tata
Consultancy Services Ltd, Wipro, Mahindra Tech, and Larsen & Toubro Limited,
operate in Qatar.
7.
Stability in the Gulf:
●
The stability of the Gulf region is of
paramount importance to India’s energy and maritime security.
Challenges
in the Relations:
1.
Religious Controversy:
●
In June 2022, a controversy involving
derogatory remarks about the Prophet on a TV show led to tension between India
and Qatar.
●
Qatar demanded a public apology, which
India addressed by swiftly sacking the individual responsible.
2.
Recent shift-overs:
●
The imprisonment of the eight ex-Navy personnel
constitutes the second significant challenge.
●
It took India by surprise in a country
where a large Indian expatriate community resides, making India-Qatar relations
a sensitive issue.
The detention and
sentencing of eight Indian nationals in Qatar have posed a complex diplomatic
challenge for India. Against the backdrop of India-Qatar relations, this
incident underscores the importance of navigating cultural sensitivities and
geopolitical dynamics to secure the release of these individuals.