The Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday that the eighth Indian Navy veteran, who had been sentenced to death in Qatar alongside seven others on espionage charges, would be returning home after meeting specific conditions.
India celebrated a diplomatic triumph as seven former navy personnel, employed by Doha-based Dahra Global and detained since August 2022, returned home earlier this month. Among them were Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Rajesh.
While Commander Purnendu Tiwari has been released from prison along with the others, his return to India is anticipated by next week, according to sources.
Addressing a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "As you know, all eight Indian nationals involved in the Dahra Global case have been released. Seven of them have returned to India. The eighth Indian national has certain requirements to fulfill, and he will return as and when those are completed."
The spokesperson did not provide specifics regarding the conditions Commander Tiwari must meet for his return. Previously, Commander Tiwari's cousin, Dr. Meetu Bhargava, expressed gratitude for his release, attributing it to the assistance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Additionally, the MEA spokesperson confirmed the arrival of the first group of civilian crew members to replace Indian troops in the Maldives.
"The first team of technical personnel to operate the advanced light helicopter at Gan has reached Maldives. It will replace the existing personnel that were until now operating it," Jaiswal stated.
Regarding the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives, the Maldivian Ministry of Defence announced that the civilian crew, replacing Indian troops stationed in Seenu Gan, had arrived in the country. The ministry also outlined plans to return one of the helicopters stationed at Kadhdhoo Airport to India for maintenance, with a replacement helicopter set to arrive aboard an Indian warship.
President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, had pledged to withdraw Indian troops from the Maldives after winning the country's presidential election in November 2023. He recently announced that the first group of Indian military personnel would be repatriated before March 10, with the remainder to follow by May 10.
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