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BIG STORY FEBRUARY 23, 2024 | The Indian Eye 4

MODI IN MIDDLE EAST

MANY

MILESTONES

Release of Indian navy veterans from a Qatari prison. Inauguration of a Hindu temple in the UAE.
What is driving India’s close relations with the Middle East states?

OUR BUREAU
Dubai/Doha/New Delhi

n Monday morning, former
Indian Navy personnel land-
Oed at the Delhi airport, raised
chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and
lauded Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s personal intervention in their
case following their release from a
Qatar court after months of deten-
tion in the Gulf country.
Earlier, the Ministry of External
Affairs announced the release of the
Indian nationals who were detained
in Qatar. “The Government of India
welcomes the release of eight Indi-
an nationals working for the Dahra
Global company who were detained
in Qatar. Seven out of the eight of
them have returned to India. We ap-
preciate the decision by the Amir of
the State of Qatar to enable the re-
lease and home-coming of these na-
tionals,” the statement said.
On December 28, 2023, Qa-
tar’s Court of Appeal commuted the
death penalty awarded to all eight
men in October, 2023.
It was huge victory for Indian di-
plomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani prior to a bilateral meeting in Doha on Thursday (ANI)
Under Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, India has become much closer emonial welcome on his arrival in erans arrested in Doha in an alleged to see them back in India. PM invited
to Qatar and UAE. Doha on Thursday and held a bilat- espionage case. He also extended an His Highness the Amir to pay a visit
On Thursday, Prime Minister eral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, invitation to the Qatari leader to pay to India,” Foreign Secretary Vinay
Narendra Modi touched down in Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. an official visit to India. Kwatra during a briefing on PM’s vis-
the national capital from Doha after The meeting was also attended by “Prime Minister thanked His it to Qatar.
concluding his two-nation visit to the the External Affairs Minister, S Jais- Highness the Amir for his support On his arrival in Doha, PM Modi
UAE and Qatar. He travelled to the hankar and National Security Advi- for the welfare of the Indian commu- received a warm welcome from the
United Arab Emirates on an official sor (NSA), Ajit Doval. nity and in this regard expressed his Indian diaspora outside his hotel.
visit from February 13-14 and Qatar During the meeting, PM Modi deep appreciation for the release of People holding the Tricolor and gifts
from February 14-15. thanked the Emir of Qatar for facili- eight Indian nationals of Al Dahra for PM Modi chanted his name and
PM Modi was accorded a cer- tating the release of Indian Navy vet- company. We are extremely gratified Continued on next page... >>

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