Victory over Qatar
Qatar has freed 8 ex-Indian Navy Officers. This is Government of India’s diplomatic success for which the it definitely needs to be applauded.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar was at the forefront during the talks with Qatar, while National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Doha several times in the past 3 months to strongly present India’s case on this sensitive issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s skilful leadership was also behind these developments.
Someone might call the success insignificant since Qatar is a small country. Those who think like this should remember that in world politics, it is not the size, but the country’s nuisance value that matters. Size-wise, Israel is also small; but it has the ability to subdue the whole world.
Qatar is also a small country in the Middle East. Qatar is rich in oil reserves, and is craving to make its presence felt in world politics. Whenever there is any crisis in the Middle East, Qatar is at the forefront in the role of a mediator between the countries concerned.
The Taliban are its friends and Hamas has its covert support. Therefore, Qatar has greater nuisance value in world politics. Additionally, it is also a friend of the USA. So how can this country be underestimated ? Considering all these aspects, India’s success is complete for sure. On 23rd October 2023, 8 ex-Indian Navy Officers were sentenced to death by a Qatar Court in an alleged espionage case. About 3 months later, what moves did the Government of India make behind the scenes, that forced Qatar to reverse its decision ?
Qatar caught off guard
The accusations of espionage against ex-Indian Navy Officers working in Qatar came as a surprise to Indians, and raised many questions. Since Qatar is a small country, who will spy there and for what reason ? Well, the Qatar Government gave no official information on this. Qatar’s silence on the issue only made the fog of doubt dense. Qatar also alleged that these 8 Officers provided Israel with confidential information on the nuclear submarine they are building. The fact is whether it is China, USA or any other country, they openly tell the world about their weapon programmes, and whether they are developing sophisticated submarines or weapons. So, if Qatar is building a nuclear submarine, what is the need for anyone to spy on it ? Was Qatar trying to tilt India its way by holding these 8 Officers guilty ?
Some months ago, India and Qatar were in the process of renewing their agreement to supply natural gas to India. This is an important contract worth Dollars 78 billion (Rs 6,47,364 crores). Natural gas, crude oil are the vulnerable links in the Indian economy. Since India is not self-sufficient in these, it has to depend on other countries to fulfill its needs. Therefore, Qatar’s intention was to bully India through this agreement and thus, take advantage. Qatar probably thought that India will take a soft stance after it arrested 8 Officers; but the Government of India thwarted all the Qatari moves.
After these 8 Officers were sentenced to death, India immediately halted ongoing talks on the deal and told Qatar in no uncertain terms that it would focus on the case of these Officers first. After this, India started strike at the weaknesses of Qatar. Although Qatar is a rich country, the land is infertile, nothing grows there. Consequently, it has to depend on countries like India for essential commodities. With this in mind, India initially started delaying the supply of medicines. India has good relations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in GCC are the sworn enemies of Qatar; however, it is equally true that Qatar cannot afford enmity with these 2 neighbours. Therefore, India also used its friendship with these countries to mount pressure on Qatar. After realising that India is not relenting, Qatar softened. This resulted in the renewal of the natural gas supply agreement between India and Qatar. Importantly, under this agreement, Qatar will sell natural gas to India at a lower price than it was in the previous agreement. This means that the deal went as planned by India and 8 Indian citizens, who were languishing in jail there, were also freed. Using the right foreign policy, India not only caught Qatar on the wrong foot but rebuked it as well.
Expect more such news of victory from India
Although Qatar and the USA are close allies, the USA is upset with Qatar’s anti-USA activities. Consequently, their friendship bubble can burst anytime. Israel is constantly attacking Qatar because it supports Hamas. In the future, if Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gets annoyed with Qatar’s gimmicks, it won’t take Israel long to crush Qatar. Let no one swell with false pride and conceit. This is precisely Qatar’s current situation. Qatar made a absurd move by awarding death penalty to ex-Indian Navy Officers. Against this background, Qatar needed to be shown where it stands. India played the role to perfection.
In world politics, such a role is very complicated. Trying to establish friendly relations with every country while keeping one’s own national interest intact, is a mammoth job. To maintain international relations, we cannot take an extreme stance that some countries are our friends and some are our enemies. We cannot say when and where friendly relations with a country will be helpful. India benefited as it tread this path expertly. Continuing to do so will ensure many more such victories in the future.
Compelling Qatar to free 8 ex-Indian Navy Officers is a great success for India !
| To maintain international relations, we cannot take extreme stance that some countries are our friends and some our enemies ! |