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Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Israel’s air strikes on Doha targeting Hamas leaders, calling it a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, and urged dialogue and diplomacy to avoid further escalation.

PM Modi condemns violation of Qatar's sovereignty, a day after Israeli attack on Doha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Israel&rsquo;s air strikes on Doha targeting Hamas leaders, calling it a violation of Qatar&rsquo;s sovereignty, and urged dialogue and diplomacy to avoid further escalation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condemned the violation of Qatar's sovereignty in the wake of Israel's air strikes on Doha targeting Hamas leaders that triggered fears of further escalation of the already fragile situation in the region.
The prime minister's rare criticism directed at Israel came after he spoke to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and conveyed India's "deep concern" at the attacks in Doha.
Israel carried out the air strikes on Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday in the latest in a series of attacks it launched against Syria, Iran and Lebanon. The attack on Doha triggered global outrage.
"Spoke with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and expressed deep concern at the attacks in Doha," Modi said on social media.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Spoke with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and expressed deep concern at the attacks in Doha. India condemns the violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly State of Qatar. We support resolution of issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and avoiding escalation.&hellip;
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1965787289226788992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
"India condemns the violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly State of Qatar. We support resolution of issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and avoiding escalation," he said.
The prime minister said India "stands firmly" in support of peace and stability in the region, and against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Following the attack, Hamas said five of its members were killed in the Israeli air strike. However, it said Israel's attempt to assassinate its leaders "failed".
Hamas said its negotiating team was holding deliberations to discuss a proposal from the US for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip at a building when the attack took place.
The prime minister's rebuke came days after India joined other member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in strongly condemning the military strikes by Israel and the US on Iran.
An Indian readout said Prime Minister Modi appreciated the role being played by Qatar in promoting regional peace and stability, including its mediation efforts in Gaza to achieve a ceasefire and release of all hostages.
The prime minister reiterated support for resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy and the need to avoid escalation, it said.
"Sheikh Tamim thanked Prime Minister Modi for the expression of solidarity with the people and the State of Qatar," it said.
The SCO summit in the Chinese city of Tianjin also condemned actions that have led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
PM Modi was among the leaders who attended the SCO summit.
"Reiterating their deep concern over the continuing escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the member states strongly condemn the actions that have led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," the SCO declaration said.
It said the SCO leaders noted that the only possible way to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East is through a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian question.
"Member States strongly condemned the military strikes by Israel and the US against the Islamic Republic of Iran in June," it said.
"Such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including nuclear energy infrastructure, which resulted in the death of civilians, are a gross violation of the principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter, and an infringement on the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran," it said.
PM Modi's comments on Wednesday are seen as very significant. He had previously condemned the deaths of civilians in the Israel-Hamas conflict during a speech in 2023.
"Bharat has condemned the heinous terrorist attack in Israel on October 7. We have also emphasised on dialogue and diplomacy besides restraints," Modi said in his address at the second Voice of Global South Summit on November 17 that year.
"We strongly condemn the deaths of civilians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. After talking to President Mahmoud Abbas, we have also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine. It is time that the countries of the Global South speak with one voice for the greater global good," he had said.
Israel has been continuing its military offensive in Gaza as part of its retaliation against the unprecedented attack on Israeli cities by Hamas on October 7.
Hamas killed around 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 220 others, some of whom were released during a brief ceasefire.
Over 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the Israeli offensive, according to the Hamas-run authorities in Gaza.
India has been calling for de-escalation of the situation and creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations towards a two-state solution to the Palestine issue.&nbsp;
India has strong economic ties with Qatar, which is home to more than 8,30,000 Indian nationals. Qatar is also India's largest LNG supplier.
PM Modi and Sheikh Tamim also expressed satisfaction at the sustained progress in the India-Qatar Strategic Partnership and reiterated their commitment to advance bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, the Indian readout said.

Qatar’s PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned Israel’s unprecedented strike in Doha targeting Hamas, warning it ended hopes for Gaza hostages and strained mediation efforts.

Qatar says Netanyahu must be 'brought to justice' over strikes

Qatar&rsquo;s PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned Israel&rsquo;s unprecedented strike in Doha targeting Hamas, warning it ended hopes for Gaza hostages and strained mediation efforts.

Qatar's prime minister warned Wednesday that an unprecedented Israeli strike in Doha targeting Hamas killed hope for Gaza hostages, calling for Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to be "brought to justice".
His comments came a day after deadly strikes targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar -- a US ally -- a first in the oil-rich Gulf that rattled a region long shielded from conflict.
"I think that what Netanyahu has done yesterday, he just killed any hope for those hostages," Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told CNN.
Doha is "reassessing everything" around their involvement in future ceasefire talks and discussing next steps with Washington, he added in comments cited in CNN's live blog after an interview with the broadcaster.
The attack, just three months after Iran launched a retaliatory strike on a US airbase in Qatar, also cast serious doubt on Qatar-mediated Gaza ceasefire talks and undermined security reassurances to the Gulf from key ally Washington.
Earlier Wednesday, Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed that Israel would "act against its enemies anywhere" while Netanyahu urged Qatar to expel Hamas officials or hold them to account, "because if you don't, we will".
Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 with Washington's blessing, and has been a key mediator in Gaza talks alongside Egypt and the United States.
Israel's military said it struck Huthi targets in Yemen on Wednesday, including in the capital Sanaa, killing 35 people according to the rebels.
Palestinian militant group Hamas said six people were killed in Tuesday's strikes in Qatar, but its senior leaders had survived, affirming "the enemy's failure to assassinate our brothers in the negotiating delegation".
The White House said Trump did not agree with Israel's decision to take military action.
Trump said he was not notified in advance and when he heard, asked his envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar immediately -- but the attack had already started.
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, sought to justify the decision, telling an Israeli radio station: "It was not an attack on Qatar; it was an attack on Hamas."
 - 'Shaken conscience of world' -
Hamas political bureau member Hossam Badran said Israel "represents a real danger to the security and stability of the region".
"It is in an open war with everyone, not just with the Palestinian people," he said.
In Gaza City on Wednesday, the Israeli military destroyed another high-rise building as it intensified its assault on the territory's largest urban centre, despite mounting calls to end its campaign.
The military issued an evacuation warning to those living in and around the Tiba 2 tower, before later saying it had "struck a high-rise building that was used by the Hamas terrorist organisation".
AFP images showed huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as the residential tower in western Gaza City crashed to the ground.
In the aftermath, young girls rushed to pick dust-covered dough out of the rubble.
Siham Abu al-Foul told AFP she couldn't take anything with her when the army issued the evacuation orders.
"They brought down the tower and we came running and there was nothing left... Everything we fixed in two years was gone in a minute."
The Israeli military said it had struck 360 targets since Friday and vowed that it would "increase the pace of targeted strikes" in the Gaza City area in the coming days.
The Gaza war has created catastrophic humanitarian conditions for the population of more than two million, with the United Nations last month declaring a famine in Gaza City and its surroundings.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said she would push to sanction "extremist" Israeli ministers and curb trade ties over the dire situation.
"What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world," she said.
 - 'Not thrilled' -
Israel's targeting of Hamas leaders in Qatar sparked international condemnation.
Trump said he was not notified in advance of the Israeli strikes and was "not thrilled about the whole situation".
"I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack," he said in a social media post, adding Hamas's elimination was still a "worthy goal".
Canada said it was reassessing its relationship with Israel following the Doha strikes.
Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
Of the 251 hostages seized during the assault, 47 remain in Gaza, including 25 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 64,656 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the UN considers reliable.

President Trump's claims about mitigating India-Pakistan tensions are refuted by Indian officials who assert bilateral dialogues resolved the conflict.

Trump Claims on India-Pakistan Peace Efforts

President Trump claims to have soothed recent India-Pakistan tensions, but India refutes any third-party involvement, citing direct bilateral resolutions.

Trump says he eased India-Pak tensions again in Qatar

Trump claims credit for easing India-Pakistan tensions, but India denies third-party mediation, emphasizing bilateral talks.

&nbsp;US President Donald Trump on Thursday repeated his claim yet again that he &ldquo;helped settle&rdquo; the tensions between India and Pakistan.
"&hellip;And by the way, I don't want to say I did, but I sure as hell helped settle the problem between Pakistan and India last week, which was getting more and more hostile,&rdquo; he said while addressing US military personnel at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
"And all of a sudden, you'll start seeing missiles of a different type. And we got it settled. I hope, I hope I don't walk out of here and two days later find out that it's not settled, but I think it is settled,&rdquo; Trump said.
This is the sixth time since Saturday that Trump has claimed that the US brokered the &ldquo;ceasefire&rdquo; between New Delhi and Islamabad.
India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Indian government sources in New Delhi have been maintaining that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect. They said no third party was involved.
In his address to US troops on Thursday, Trump again claimed that he talked to the countries about &ldquo;trade&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Let's do trade instead of do war. And Pakistan was very happy with that, and India was very happy with that, and I think they're on the way, you know, they have been fighting for about 1,000 years in all fairness,&rdquo; he said as he laughed slightly.
"So I said, you know, I could settle that up. I can settle anything. Let me set it up. Let's get them all together. How long have you been fighting? About 1,000 years. Oh, that's a lot. I'm not sure about that. I'm not sure about settling. That's a tough one. They've been fighting for a long time, but we got that settled. Nobody, boy, everybody was very happy. I'll tell you that looked like it was really going to be escalating out of control,&rdquo; he added.
On Saturday, Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a &ldquo;full and immediate ceasefire&rdquo; after a &ldquo;long night of talks mediated by the United States.&rdquo; Later, in a post on Truth Social, Trump offered to work with India and Pakistan for a &ldquo;solution&rdquo; on Kashmir, while crediting Washington for helping the two nations arrive at the &ldquo;historic and heroic decision&rdquo; of stopping the conflict.
India has always maintained that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter with Pakistan and there is no space for any third party.&nbsp;

India and Qatar exchanged agreements to establish a strategic partnership and prevent fiscal evasion, reinforcing bilateral ties and economic cooperation.

India, Qatar exchange agreement on establishment of strategic partnership

India and Qatar exchanged agreements to establish a strategic partnership and prevent fiscal evasion, reinforcing bilateral ties and economic cooperation.

India and Qatar on Tuesday exchanged an agreement on establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries.
The documents were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani in New Delhi.
The Amir of Qatar arrived here on Monday evening on a two-day state visit.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🇮🇳-🇶🇦| Further cementing the deep &amp; traditional relationship. PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> &amp; HH Sheikh <a href="https://twitter.com/TamimBinHamad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TamimbinHamad</a> Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar held wide-ranging talks at Hyderabad House today. Both leaders decided to elevate India-Qatar relations to a Strategic Partnership&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/SxpVcu7Cit">pic.twitter.com/SxpVcu7Cit</a>
&mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1891764829675024839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The MEA earlier said his visit will provide "further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership".
Prime Minister Modi and the Amir of Qatar also held talks at the Hyderabad House covering a range of bilateral issues.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar exchanged the agreement.
A revised agreement for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, between India and Qatar, was also exchanged, it was announced during the ceremony held at the Hyderabad House.
Prime Minister of Qatar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman exchanged the agreement.

Qatar has confirmed that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are in the "final stages." With backing from Egypt and the U.S., a deal may be finalized soon, involving the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisone

Qatar says Gaza truce talks in 'final stages'

Qatar has confirmed that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are in the "final stages." With backing from Egypt and the U.S., a deal may be finalized soon, involving the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Qatar has confirmed that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are in the "final stages." With backing from Egypt and the U.S., a deal may be finalized soon, involving the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Key mediator Qatar said negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal were in their "final stages" on Tuesday, adding that it was hopeful an agreement could be reached "very soon".
Qatar, Egypt and the United States have stepped up efforts to broker a ceasefire to enable the release of hostages held in Gaza since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
On Monday, US President Joe Biden said a deal was "on the brink" of being finalised, just days before the inauguration of his successor, Donald Trump.
On Tuesday, Qatar foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said negotiations were in their "final stages".
"We do believe that we are at the final stages... certainly we are hopeful that this would lead very soon to an agreement," Ansari said, adding "until there is an announcement... we shouldn't be over-excited about what's happening right now".
"We have reached a point where the major issues that were preventing a deal from happening were addressed," he told a news conference.
Hamas's October 7 attack, the deadliest in Israel's history, resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
On that day, militants also took 251 people hostage, 94 of whom are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed 46,645 people, a majority of them civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures that the UN considers reliable.
A source briefed on the Doha negotiations said earlier the heads of Israel's intelligence agencies, the Middle East envoys for the incoming and outgoing US administrations and Qatar's prime minister had been due at the talks.
"Mediators will hold separate talks with Hamas," the source said.
Qatar said later the talks were being held at the "highest level".
&nbsp;
- 'Make it happen' -
Sources close to the talks and Israeli media said the first phase of a deal would see 33 Israeli hostages released, while two Palestinian sources close to Hamas told AFP that Israel would release about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
An Israeli government official said that "several hundred terrorists will be released" as part of the first phase of the deal.
Israeli media also reported on Tuesday that under the proposed deal, Israel would be allowed to maintain a buffer zone inside Gaza during the implementation of the first phase.
Successive rounds of negotiations had failed to end the deadliest war in Gaza's history.
On Monday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said a truce deal could be finalised this week.
"I'm not making a promise or prediction, but it is there for the taking and we are going to work to make it happen," he said.
Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, however, warned on Monday he would oppose any deal that stopped the war.
"The proposed agreement is a catastrophe for Israel's national security," Smotrich said on X.
An outspoken member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition, Smotrich has repeatedly opposed halting the war in Gaza.
&nbsp;
- 'Harsh and bloody' -
His comments came amid rising calls by Israelis, particularly families of hostages held in Gaza, to reach an accord that would bring their loved ones home.
Among the key sticking points in the talks have been disagreements over the permanence of any ceasefire and the scale of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territory.
Other points of contention include the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian territory and the reopening of border crossings.
Netanyahu has firmly rejected a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and has opposed any Palestinian governance of the territory.
Even as intense diplomatic efforts continued towards a truce deal, Israeli forces pounded targets across Gaza.
The territory's civil defence agency said overnight air strikes and shelling killed at least 18 people in Gaza City in the north, the central area of Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis in the south.
"Last night was harsh and bloody," spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP.
The Israeli military said it targeted Hamas militants.
"Overnight, with the direction of IDF (army) intelligence, the IAF (air force) conducted several strikes on Hamas terrorists who were involved in terror activities," it told AFP.
The health ministry in Gaza said 61 people were killed in the Palestinian territory over the past 24 hours.

He said that even when they were naval officers, they had to travel to places and miss many moments with the family.

Part of our lives: Qatar-returned Navy veteran on missing daughter's wedding

He said that even when they were naval officers, they had to travel to places and miss many moments with the family.

"It happens. It's part of our lives," retired Indian Navy commander B K Verma who has returned from Qatar says with stoicism while talking about his daughter's wedding that he could not attend.
Verma (58) was among the eight former Indian Navy personnel released from a jail in Qatar. Seven of them returned to India on Monday.
They were sentenced to death in October last year for alleged espionage, but the death sentence was later commuted.
The release from jail would not have been possible without Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal intervention, Verma told PTI here on Tuesday.
The Navi Mumbai resident was in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city to attend a wedding in the family.
"I am very happy to be back among my family members. It is also a big relief for my family. My joy has also increased because today is the wedding of my nephew," Verma said.
"It is due to Prime Minister Modi's personal intervention that I am sitting here today. I thank him from the bottom of my heart on behalf of myself and my colleagues. I also thank the Emir of Qatar for his magnanimous consideration of my case," he added.
Verma could not attend his daughter's wedding on November 27, 2022.
"But that's okay. It happens. I was a Navy officer. Even when we are naval officers, we have to travel to many places and at that time also we are not able to join many moments with the family. It's all part of our lives," he said.
Verma said he wanted to be with his wife and children now and also meet all his friends who stood by the family in difficult times.
His wife Suman thanked God for his release and said reuniting with him was a moment they were "forever waiting for".
"Looking at him again, I was thinking if he is really in front of me...," she said.
"My husband's presence at the wedding in Indore makes me feel like we are reliving our daughter's wedding moment. My daughter is also with us," she added.
She also thanked the Indian government for its efforts to secure her husband's release.

The eight Indians who were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme had been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022.

Navy veterans chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', praise PM Modi on return from Qatar

The eight Indians who were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme had been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022.

In a major diplomatic triumph for India, eight veterans of the Indian Navy who were once sentenced to death in Qatar have been freed. Seven of them have returned to India.
Setting foot in their homeland after months of captivity in Qatar, the veterans chanted 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and praised the efforts of the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in securing their release.
The eight Indians who were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme had been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/qatar-frees-8-indian-navy-veterans-held-on-spying-charges-1707700721327">Qatar frees 8 Indian Navy veterans held on spying charges</a>

India's foreign ministry said that seven out of the eight of them have returned to India.

Qatar frees 8 Indian Navy veterans held on spying charges

India's foreign ministry said that seven out of the eight of them have returned to India.

In a major diplomatic triumph for India, eight veterans of the Indian Navy who were sentenced to death in Qatar have been freed.
In a statement, India's foreign ministry welcomed the release of the Indian nationals who were working for Dahra Global company.
The ministry said that seven out of the eight of them have returned to India.
The eight Indians were imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme.
&nbsp;The retired naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that have not yet been made public officially.
A Qatari Court had commuted their death penalty and reduced the sentences to jail terms.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/alleged-mastermind-of-haldwani-violence-arrested-from-delhi-reports-1707649904397">Alleged mastermind of Haldwani violence arrested from Delhi: reports</a>

Death sentence dropped: govt says next move after studying Qatar verdict 

It is learnt that the prison terms handed to the former Indian Navy personnel range from three years to 25 years.

&nbsp;A day after a Qatari court dropped the death sentences given to eight former Indian Navy personnel, India on Friday said it will explore the next possible steps in the case after studying the verdict and holding discussions with their legal team and family members.
The Court of Appeal in Qatar commuted the death penalty handed down to the Indians and sentenced them to prison for varying durations on Thursday, weeks after their family members filed an appeal against the earlier order by another court.
The Navy veterans were sentenced to death by Qatar's Court of First Instance on October 26.
"For the moment, I do not have any additional information to share till we see the judgment," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing.
"The sentences have been reduced. But till we have the details, I do not want to comment. We will, of course, be discussing the next possible steps with the legal team and the family members," he said while responding to a volley of questions.
It is learnt that the prison terms handed to the former Indian Navy personnel range from three years to 25 years.
"We would urge you again not to engage in speculation. The interests of Indians and their family members is our foremost concern," Bagchi said.
The MEA said on Thursday that the Qatari court had reduced the sentences of the Indians.
"We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities," the ministry said.
The Indian nationals, who worked for private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in a case of espionage.
Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against them public.
Bagchi was asked whether the commutation of the death sentences makes it possible for India to invoke a 2015 pact with Qatar on the transfer of sentenced persons.
The pact provides for the citizens of India and Qatar who have been convicted and sentenced for criminal offences to serve their sentences in their home country.
"Yes, there is such an agreement. However, I am not sure whether such an agreement requires ratification by both sides and I would have to check whether the Qatari side has ratified it or not," the MEA spokesperson said.
It has been learnt that Qatar is yet to ratify the pact.
India has entered into prisoner-transfer treaties with many countries that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his or her home country to serve the prison sentence.
The charges were filed against the eight Navy veterans on March 25 and they were tried under Qatari law.
All the former officers had "unblemished stints" of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy and held important positions, including that of instructors, in the force.
Al Dahra Global closed its operations in Doha in May and all those working there (primarily Indians) have since returned home.&nbsp;

Qatar court commutes death sentence of 8 former Indian Navy officials: MEA

The eight former personnel of the Indian Navy, arrested in an alleged case of espionage, were given the death sentence by Qatar&rsquo;s Court of First Instance in October.

&nbsp;A Qatar Court has commuted the death sentence given to eight former Indian Navy personnel in an alleged case of espionage, the External Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday.
"We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced," the ministry said in a statement.
The eight former personnel of the Indian Navy, arrested in an alleged case of espionage, were given the death sentence by Qatar&rsquo;s Court of First Instance in October.
The Indian nationals, all employees of Doha-based Dahra Global, were taken into custody in August 2022. The charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities.
India had moved the Court of Appeal in Qatar against the death sentence last month.
"Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities," the statement said.
Noting that a detailed judgement was awaited, the ministry said it was in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps.
"Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," the MEA said.&nbsp;

India gets consular access to 8 death row prisoners in Qatar

Qatar: India gets consular access to 8 death row prisoners, 

The Ministry of External Affairs said that Indian envoy to Qatar, Vipul, got consular access to all eight arrested former naval officials on Decemeber 3.&nbsp;

The eight Indians on a death row in Qatar have got consular access.&nbsp;
The Indian Ambassador to Qatar met the former Indian Navy officials who have been convicted on charges of being spies for Israel.&nbsp;
The access was granted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim on the side-lines of COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
At a routine press briefing, External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters, "... our Ambassador got consular access to meet all eight in prison on December 3."

Amid concerns about the death sentence given to 8 Indians in Qatar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the kingdom's ruler

Indians on death row: PM Modi meets Qatar ruler, discusses 'well-being of the Indian community'

Amid concerns about the death sentence given to 8 Indians in Qatar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the kingdom's ruler

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai on Friday, as they discussed bilateral partnership and the well-being of the Indian community in the oil-rich country.
The meeting is significant as eight former Indian Navy personnel were on October 26 given death sentences by a court in Qatar and the Indian government has reportedly filed an appeal against the sentence.
"On the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai yesterday, had the opportunity to meet HH Sheikh @TamimBinHamad, the Amir of Qatar.
"We had a good conversation on the potential of bilateral partnership and the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar," Modi posted on X on Saturday.
The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.
India had described the ruling by the court in Qatar as "deeply" shocking and had vowed to explore all legal options in the case. Prime Minister Modi had a hectic schedule on Friday as he addressed four sessions at the UN climate change conference, met various world leaders and also held some bilateral meetings.

In a relief to ex-Navy officials on death row, a Qatar court has accepted India's appeal against the penalty.

Qatar accepts India's appeal against death penalty to 8 Navy veterans: reports

In a relief to ex-Navy officials on death row, a Qatar court has accepted India's appeal against the penalty.

A Qatar court has reportedly accepted India's appeal against the death penalty handed to eight former Indian Navy personnel.
The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said India is engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter and that the government will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance to the Indian nationals.
The eight Indians were on October 26 given death sentences.
India has described the ruling as "deeply" shocking and vowed to explore all legal options in the case.
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Qatar officially announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for a humanitarian pause in Gaza

Qatar officially announces 'humanitarian pause' deal between Israel and Hamas

Qatar officially announces humanitarian pause in Gaza
Qatar: starting time of pause will be announced in 24 hours
Qatar: ceasefire will last 4 days, subject to extension
'50 civilian hostages being held in Gaza will be released'
'Palestinians in Israeli prisons will be released'
Qatar: deal includes entry of aid convoys

Qatar officially announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for a humanitarian pause in Gaza

Qatar confirmed on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on a four-day humanitarian pause in exchange for the release of 50 hostages in Gaza.
"The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension," Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons. The number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement," it added.
Qatar has been engaged in weeks of intense, behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at freeing some of the 240 hostages held in Gaza in return for a temporary ceasefire and access for humanitarian aid.
Hamas gunmen stormed across Gaza's militarised border on October 7 and staged the deadliest attack in Israel's history.
Israel says the attack killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 240 more were taken hostage, among them elderly people and children.
In response, Israel launched a relentless bombing campaign and ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which the Hamas government says has killed more than 14,100 people, thousands of them children.
Qatar said the deal had been undertaken with Egypt and the United States as well as Hamas and Israel and would include "the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs".
Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the Gulf state hoped the deal would "establish a comprehensive and sustainable agreement" that would "put an end to the war and the bloodshed and lead to serious talks for a comprehensive and just peace process".
- 'Truce can be extended' -
&nbsp;Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told AFP the release of 50 hostages held by Hamas would be staggered over the four-day truce.
"The truce begins and then every day within the four days we will have a number of hostages coming out... and that number should reach 50 by day four," he said.
The expectation was that the initial 50 women and children hostages released by Hamas would be followed by further releases to extend the initial four-day truce.
"If by then the Palestinians can commit to an additional number, then the truce can be extended," Ansari said.
"It will take some time to get all the civilians out within these parameters, it will take some time also to... ascertain how many we have left," he said.
The temporary cessation of hostilities would not come into effect immediately and would "need some time to be prepared on the ground", he said.
During the period hostages are moved, Israeli reconnaissance of Gaza will be put on temporary hold, said the spokesman, who is also a key adviser to Qatar's prime minister.
Under the deal "there are no military prisoners among those to be released", he said, indicating that was an area where trust would have to be built if talks were to move forward.

Qatar signs major gas supply deal with China

"These historic milestones are a testament to the excellent bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China and the state of Qatar as well as between Sinopec and QatarEnergy," the Gulf firm said in a statement.

Qatar has agreed to supply Sinopec with natural gas for 27 years, the Gulf emirate's state-owned energy company said Saturday, its second such deal with the Chinese firm.
Doha will supply three million tonnes of gas a year under the deal, QatarEnergy said, announcing another agreement granting the Chinese oil giant for a further share of Qatar's North Field gas expansion project.
The expansion, which broke ground last month, contains the world's biggest natural gas reserves and extends under the Gulf into Iranian territory.
Under the deal inked in Shanghai, QatarEnergy will give Sinopec a five percent interest in a joint venture with a six million tonnes per year capacity in the second phase the expansion, North Field South.
Asian countries led by China, Japan and South Korea are the main market for Qatar's gas, which has been increasingly sought by European countries since Russia's invasion of Ukraine early last year.
In April, state-owned Sinopec became the first Asian firm to secure a stake in the Qatari expansion's first phase, North Field East.
In 2022 the Chinese firm signed a 27-year supply deal with Qatar for four million tonnes of liquified natural gas (LNG) annually, which at the time was the longest in the industry.
"These historic milestones are a testament to the excellent bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China and the state of Qatar as well as between Sinopec and QatarEnergy," the Gulf firm said in a statement.
The first Sinopec deal was succeeded by a flurry of similar 27-year agreements with France's Total, Britain's Shell and Italy's Eni, all announced in recent weeks.
In June this year, Qatar also announced a 27-year supply deal with the China National Petroleum Corporation.
US giants ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil have also signed deals to partner in the expansion.
Qatar is one of the world's top LNG producers, alongside the United States, Australia and Russia.
QatarEnergy estimates the North Field holds about 10 percent of the world's known natural gas reserves.
(AFP)

S Jaishankar assured the families of the 8 Indians who are on a death row in Qatar that the govt will do everything to secure their released

Jaishankar meets families of 8 Indians on death row in Qatar

S Jaishankar assured the families of the 8 Indians who are on a death row in Qatar that the govt will do everything to secure their released

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met the family members of eight Indian nationals who were handed down death sentence by a Qatari court.
Jaishankar conveyed to the family members that the government will make all efforts to secure the release of the Indians.
The eight former Indian Navy personnel were on Thursday handed down death sentence by Qatar's Court of First Instance.
India described the ruling as "deeply" shocking and vowed to explore all legal options in the case.
"Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar.Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families," Jaishankar said on X.
"Underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard," he said.
The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.

India has several options to challenge the death penalty faced by eight former naval officials in Qatar.

Explained: options India has to challenge the Qatar death order against eight former naval officers

India has several options to challenge the death penalty faced by eight former naval officials in Qatar.

After a Qatari court awarded a death sentence to eight Indians employed with a company in Qatar on 26th October 2023, the Indian embassy in Doha is reportedly reaching out to top legal experts in Qatar to appeal the sentence.
Here are the options India now has to challenge the order.
Indian govt can appeal in the higher court within the judicial system in Qatar.
Under a 2015 pact, Indian prisoners convicted in Qatar can be brought back home to serve the remaining part of their sentence.
If justice not delivered, India can appeal in the International Court of Justice.
The government can also use diplomatic pressure to prevent meeting out the death penalty.
The Qatari Emir pardons a number of prisoners every year based on appeals for clemency.&nbsp;

India begins efforts to secure release of eight veteran navy officers on death row in Qatar

After eight Indian Navy officers were awarded death sentence by a court in Qatar on charges which have not been made public, the Indian government is reaching out to top legal experts and diplomats to solve the crisis.

After the shocking judgement of the death penalty delivered by a Qatari court to eight former Indian Navy officers employed with a company in Qatar earlier this week, the Indian embassy in Doha is reportedly reaching out to top legal experts in Qatar to appeal the sentence.
According to The Indian Express on 28 October 2023, while an appeal in the higher court is being prepared with legal help, a mercy petition to the Emir of Qatar is also being pursued.
Delhi is also reaching out to Doha diplomatically since the two foreign ministries have a strong and robust relationship, the report said.&nbsp;

Reacting to the sentencing, the Indian government said the charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities.

Death penalty for former Indian naval officers in Qatar: What is the case?

Reacting to the sentencing, the Indian government said the charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities.

A Qatar court handed down the death sentence to eight Indian nationals on October 26. The Indian citizens are eight former Navy officers. The personnel have been in jail since August 2022, when they were apprehended.&nbsp;
Reacting to the sentencing, the Indian government said the charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities.
However, the court has handed the penalty following spying charges.&nbsp;
<h3>ALLEGATIONS AGAINST EX-PERSONNEL</h3>
According to multiple reports, the eight ex-Indian Navy officers are accused of espionage for Israel on Qatar's sophisticated submarines.&nbsp;
The submarines are reportedly coated with special materials for heightened stealth capabilities.
Those sentenced by the court have been identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh.
The officers were detained on August 30, 2022.
Significantly, the Qatari authorities have not yet released the charges against officers.&nbsp;
The Indian foreign ministry back in 2022 said that it was following up with Qatar authorities on the detention of Indian nationals who were working for a private company Dahra Global Consultancy Services in Qatar.
&nbsp;

Qatari negotiator: all civilian hostages in Gaza could be freed in days but...

He also discussed the longer-term strategy for the region, saying that there had to be a "permanent solution to the issue".

A Qatari negotiator told Sky News that he hoped civilians being held hostages by Hamas in Gaza could be released within days.
Mohammed Al Khulaifi, senior negotiator and Qatar's minister of state for foreign affairs told Sky News the negotiations were "very difficult" but progress was being made.
He cautioned, however, that any escalation in the conflict could jeopardise those efforts.
"If there is a continuing bombing, if there is continued escalation in the situation, our task is getting more difficult. The mediators need a period of calm."
"Our political position has been clear since day one. When it comes to the Palestine situation. Palestine deserves to have an independent state by itself based on the Arab Peace Initiative. Two-state solution with the border of 1967 and East Jerusalem as its capital. This isn't nothing new," he said.
Meanwhile, international efforts have been partially focused on negotiating access for humanitarian aid in Gaza, and Al Khulaifi warned that without assistance "it's going to be disaster".
"The situation over there is really horrible. The lack of water, food, medicine, fuel to generate the energy over there. It is not going to help sustaining the situation", he said, but added that he believed the international community "in general recognize the importance of a humanitarian aid."
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