India on February 12 welcomed the release of eight Indian nationals who were arrested in Qatar on August 30, 2022, and were given death sentences. In an early morning statement, the Ministry of External Affairs indicated that seven of the men have already returned. The Government of India appreciates the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and homecoming of these nationals. The case of the eight Indian Navy veterans has strained India-Qatar relations since their arrest, with the cause of the arrest remaining undisclosed. India had earlier appealed against the death sentence, which was commuted into varying periods of imprisonment for the eight individuals. The announcement of their release comes a day prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates from February 13-14. Qatar currently holds approximately 750 Indian prisoners in its jails.