In this episode of Worldview, we discuss what are the diplomatic lessons and takeaways from the 18-month ordeal which ended with the release of the eight former Indian naval personnel from Qatar  This week brought good news- 7 of 8 released Indians, former naval personnel returned to their families, as the Amir of Qatar decided to free the men. The outcome, that followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal intervention in December with his counterpart Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, was a big relief for the families and a big success for Indian diplomacy, and PM Modi, who was visiting the UAE this week made a previously unannounced visit to Qatar, to express his gratitude:  “Prime Minister thanked His Highness, the Amir, for his support for the welfare of the Indian community and, in this regard, expressed his deep appreciation to His Highness, the Amir, for the release of eight Indian nationals of Al-Dahra company. We are extremely gratified to see them back in India.” Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary The chronology of the case: August 30, 2022: The 8 Indian nationals, including 7 former Naval Commanders and Captains and one former Naval sailor were arrested by Qatari authorities, all worked for Dahra Global Technologies March 2023: Trial begins in the case May 2023: Dahra Global company shuts down October 26: Court hands down guilty verdict in the case of espionage, pronounces death sentence December 1: PM Modi meets Qatari Amir in Dubai December 28: Court of Appeal commutes death sentences to prison terms February 7: India and Qatar sign a 20-year $78 billion LNG deal that will start in 2028 for gas supplies- the announcement seemed to herald a deal on the Indian prisoners was imminent February 11: 7 men including Captain Gill, Commander Nagpal, Captain Vashisht, Captain Verma, Commander Pakala, Commander Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh returned to India Commander Purnendu Tiwari, who was the Managing Director at Dahra Global Technologies has been released but remains in Doha- while reports suggested it was due to his health , his sister Dr. Meetu Bhargava has said he is still under a travel ban This was a particularly difficult case for the MEA for a number of reasons: The charges against the Indians were the most serious- espionage, reportedly for Israel – few countries would free those convicted of these charges, especially after the death sentence was pronounced The Qatari legal system is more opaque than most, and it was difficult to get clear details of the charges, evidence and process ahead The fact that all 8 were former servicemen- added to the public concerns and pressure in India for their safe return- and criticism of Qatar in India only made the diplomats job more difficult Geopolitical factors: Qatar and Israel have faced off over the current conflict, Qatar is home to much of the Hamas leadership, and the accusation that the men were spying for Israel was particularly worrying for the government and their families. India’s balancing act on the Israel Gaza conflict- New Delhi’s vote at the UN in October that abstained from criticism of Israel, its decision not to ban Hamas, negotiating the IMEC with Saudi Arabia and UAE, the INSTC with Iran, any of its actions could have been seen to tip the balance against the naval personnel. In addition, the fallout of any decline in Qatar ties would have been felt by 800,000 Indians who live and work there WV Take: Given the high stakes, the government’s skillful diplomatic handling of the Qatar case shows how even the toughest negotiations can be done- 1) avoiding public grandstanding as the government chose with Pakistan over the Jadhav case or Canada over the Nijjar case, 2) pursuing the case legally, showing respect for the Qatari legal system, and 3)having the Prime Minister intervene at the highest levels in a country where power rests with the Amirs, are all parts of the strategy that worked, and can be learnt from. WV Reading Recommendations: West Asia At War: Repression, Resistance and Great Power Games by Talmiz Ahmed India and the Gulf: Theoretical Perspectives and Policy Shifts by Harsh V. Pant and Hasan Alhasan India and the Gulf Region: Geopolitics, Security,Energy, Diaspora and Maritime Relations by AK Pasha A Life in the Shadows: A Memoir by A.S. Dulat In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad by Mickey Bergman and Ellis Henican 0:00 Intro 1:37 Chronology of the case 4:10 Interview with Retd Naval Commander Amit Nagpal 15:22 Why was this a difficult case difficult for the MEA 18:01 Worldview take 18:59 Worldview recommendation Link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MefjQGIQCEs #qatar #doha