Timing of the release totally unexpected: Family of Indian sailor back from Qatar
Family members of the eight former Indian Navy officers, arrested in connection with an alleged espionage case in 2022, were informed of their release by the Indian government late on Sunday after they had been released and boarded their flights back home.
Speaking to The Indian Express, a family member of one of the eight ex-Navy men said, “Our veterans are back. We are immensely grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal intervention, and also to the Emir of Qatar for agreeing to their release. We were told about their release and journey back home once they had boarded their flights late last night”.
The family of another sailor, Ragesh G Kumar, told The Indian Express that while they were hopeful the men would be released “one day”, the development caught them off guard.
Kumar had been sentenced to a jail term of three years. His father-in-law K Rajasekharan Nair told The Indian Express: “But for the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, their release would not have happened so fast. We hoped that one day, they all would come out, but the timing of the release was totally unexpected. We join the entire country in saluting the Prime Minister, who took up our concern with the highest authority in Qatar.”
PM Modi departs for Delhi on conclusion of his visit to UAE and Qatar
PM Modi departs for Delhi on conclusion of his visit to UAE and Qatar
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Look forward to "collaborating in futuristic sectors which will benefit our planet": Modi
After meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, Modi said the two nations are looking forward to "collaborating in futuristic sectors which will benefit our planet".
'India-Qatar ties growing stronger': PM Modi shares glimpses from his visit
PM Modi shares glimpses from his Qatar visit.
PM Modi in Qatar Live Updates: PM holds bilateral meeting with Emir of Qatar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.
PM Modi in Qatar Live Updates: PM receives ceremonial welcome in Doha | Watch video
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accorded a ceremonial welcome in Doha. PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks on regional, global issues.
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PM Modi in Qatar Live Updates: 'Multifaceted ties continued to deepen in all spheres' | Here's what PM Modi earlier said on India-Qatar ties
Speaking of his visit to Qatar, which comes after the Qatari authorities released former Indian Navy personnel arrested in an alleged espionage case, PM Modi said earlier, “India and Qatar enjoy historically close and friendly relations.” He added, “In recent years, our multifaceted ties have continued to deepen in all spheres including high level political exchanges, growing trade and investment between two countries, strengthening of our energy partnership, and cooperation in culture and education.” Read more
PM Modi in Qatar Live Updates: Watch how Indian diaspora welcomed PM Modi in Doha
The video shared by ANI on X shows people in Qatar eagerly awaiting PM Modi and greeting him.
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PM Modi in Qatar Live Updates: In closer ties with the Gulf, a significant win for Indian diplomacy, C Raja Mohan writes
It is perhaps fitting that one of his last international trips in his second term as Prime Minister takes Narendra Modi to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The inauguration of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) temple in Abu Dhabi and the release of eight Indian ex-naval personnel held on espionage charges in Doha this week are two different kinds of events.
Together, they are a high water mark for Modi’s diplomacy and symbolise the transformation of India’s relations with the Gulf during the last 10 years. It was unimaginable that a large Hindu temple would be built in the deeply Islamic and conservative Arabian peninsula with full state support, and the Indian Prime Minister would be there for its inauguration. When the eight former naval personnel were handed a death sentence last October, it was considered near impossible to secure their release.
Much has changed in how India and Arabia deal with each other today. The new terms of endearment with the Arabian Gulf constitute one of the most significant gains for Indian diplomacy in recent decades. Five factors underlie this transformation. Read more
PM Modi in Qatar Live Updates: 'Exceptional welcome in Doha', PM Modi remarks on Indian diaspora
After landing in Doha, Indian diaspora gave a rousing welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The photos shared by PM Modi on X show a huge crowd waving at him and holding the national flag. "An exceptional welcome in Doha! Grateful to the Indian diaspora," PM Modi remarked.
PM Modi in Qatar Live Updates: 'Discussions revolved around ways to boost India-Qatar friendship', PM Modi says after meeting Qatar counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Qatar counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. "Had a wonderful meeting with PM @MBA_AlThani_. Our discussions revolved around ways to boost India-Qatar friendship," PM Modi wrote on X. PM Modi is scheduled to meet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and hold talks on bilateral as well as regional and global issues. Modi had last visited Qatar in June 2016 and this will be his second visit.
PM Modi in Qatar Live Updates: 'Looking forward to a fruitful visit', says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Qatar becomes cruicial as it comes after seven out of eight former Navy personnel were sent back. The announcement of PM Modi's visit came hours after the eight former Navy personnel were released from jail. "Landed in Doha. Looking forward to a fruitful Qatar visit which will deepen India-Qatar friendship," PM Modi wrote on X.
Hello and welcome to live blog ! Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Doha, Qatar's capital Wednesday night. PM Modi met Qatar counterpart and discussed ways to bolster India-Qatar ties. He also met Indian diaspora and stay tuned here for latest updates on his visit.