NB Explains | How PM Modi thanked Qatar Amir for release of 8 Navy veterans-
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New Delhi, Feb 16: Adding another significant layer in strengthening India-Qatar bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the release of Indian navy veterans who were awarded the death penalty in an alleged espionage case. PM Modi also extended an invitation to him to pay an official visit to India.
"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 for the release of eight Indian nationals of Al Dahra company. We are extremely gratified to see them back in India. PM invited His Highness the Amir to pay a visit to India," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said in a briefing on PM's visit to Qatar.
Describing details of PM Modi's visit to Qatar, Kwatra said that PM Modi and Amir of Qatar discussed a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation, energy partnership, issues of regional security, cultural affinity, and people-to-people ties. "There were three key and significant elements of Prime Minister's program. The first was a ceremonial welcome. PM was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Amiri Diwan where His Highness Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received him...The two leaders thereafter held detailed discussions," he said.
Kwatra said, "When the two leaders spoke, they spoke about the need for strategic investments and strategic partnership in the field of energy and technology and to proceed beyond the biocellar relationship in this field. They also discussed issues of regional and international importance."
The bilateral trade between India and Qatar is close to $20 billion. On the sidelines of India Energy Week in last week, held in Goa, India and Qatar signed an agreement for supply of 7.5 MMTPA, LNG from Qatar to India for 20 years, starting 2028 onwards. India-Qatar cooperation has been steadily growing in diverse sectors over the last few years. Prime Minister Modi paid his first visit to Doha in June 2016.
Notably, PM Modi's visit to Qatar came on the heels of a major diplomatic triumph for India, in which eight veterans of the Indian Navy who were sentenced to death in Qatar on espionage charges, were released by Doha on Monday. Seven out of the eight veterans have returned to India. The eighth personnel has also been released and his return is being worked out, the MEA said.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, one of PM Modi's closest advisors, was instrumental in handling the delicate negotiations with Qatar for the release of the eight Indians. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar managed the diplomatic front regarding the issue. PM Modi, too reportedly mae personal intervention to free the eight Indians.
"Extremely Gratified"
"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 for the release of eight Indian nationals of Al Dahra company. We are extremely gratified to see them back in India. PM invited His Highness the Amir to pay a visit to India," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said in a briefing on PM's visit to Qatar.
Also Read: PM Modi holds "Wonderful Meeting" with Qatar counterpart, days after release of jailed Indian Navy veterans
A new era of Qatar-India bilateral ties
Describing details of PM Modi's visit to Qatar, Kwatra said that PM Modi and Amir of Qatar discussed a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation, energy partnership, issues of regional security, cultural affinity, and people-to-people ties. "There were three key and significant elements of Prime Minister's program. The first was a ceremonial welcome. PM was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Amiri Diwan where His Highness Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received him...The two leaders thereafter held detailed discussions," he said.
"The topics of discussion included a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including trade partnership, investment cooperation, energy partnership, issues engaged in regional security, cultural affinity, and people-to-people ties, he added. Additionally, both leaders also affirmed strategic investments and strategic partnerships in the field of energy and technology and discussed issues of regional and international importance.
Kwatra said, "When the two leaders spoke, they spoke about the need for strategic investments and strategic partnership in the field of energy and technology and to proceed beyond the biocellar relationship in this field. They also discussed issues of regional and international importance."
He added, "Prime Minister's visit to Qatar is focused on one, consolidating the wide-ranging partnership that India and Qatar have across different fields of economic cooperation. Two, also through the visit this time, build on the gains of 2016 visit, build on the gains achieved through subsequent high-level political exchanges between the two countries and lay a foundation for what the two countries, driven by the strong leadership of The Amir and the PM of India can achieve in months and years ahead, in a manner that not only expands the areas of bilateral cooperation but also increases convergences on regional issues."
The bilateral trade between India and Qatar is close to $20 billion. On the sidelines of India Energy Week in last week, held in Goa, India and Qatar signed an agreement for supply of 7.5 MMTPA, LNG from Qatar to India for 20 years, starting 2028 onwards. India-Qatar cooperation has been steadily growing in diverse sectors over the last few years. Prime Minister Modi paid his first visit to Doha in June 2016.
Release of 8 Navy veterans, a diplomatic triumph!
Notably, PM Modi's visit to Qatar came on the heels of a major diplomatic triumph for India, in which eight veterans of the Indian Navy who were sentenced to death in Qatar on espionage charges, were released by Doha on Monday. Seven out of the eight veterans have returned to India. The eighth personnel has also been released and his return is being worked out, the MEA said.
The Indians were arrested on October 22 and handed the death penalty a year later in October 2023. The challenge of releasing the Indians and repatriating them back to India was handled at the highest levels.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, one of PM Modi's closest advisors, was instrumental in handling the delicate negotiations with Qatar for the release of the eight Indians. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar managed the diplomatic front regarding the issue. PM Modi, too reportedly mae personal intervention to free the eight Indians.
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