In a big blow to Israel-Hamas ceasefire attempts, Qatar has backed down from its ceasefire mediation in Gaza. Qatar said that it will stall efforts to mediate a ceasefire until Israel & Hamas show "willingness and seriousness" to resume talks. However, there was no official response from Hamas or Israel to the statement given by the Qatar Foreign Ministry. The latest round of talks in mid-October failed to produce a deal, with Hamas rejecting a short-term ceasefire proposal. Israel on several occasions rejected ceasefire or temporary ceasefire proposals for a longer truce. Notably, the Gulf country has been working alongside the US, and Egypt for months on fruitless talks between the warring sides in Gaza. Notably, Qatar has hosted Hamas political leaders since 2012 as part of a deal with the US, and the group's presence there has facilitated the progress of talks. The country hosts the largest US airbase in the Middle East but also allows Hamas and Afghanistan's Taliban to operate offices in Doha. It is unclear how many Hamas officials live in Doha, but they include several possible replacements for killed Hamas Chief Sinwar. The group's previous leader Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran in July was also based in Doha and his body was flown to Qatar for burial.
10 November,2024 06:08 PM IST
The body of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Doha, Qatar on August 1 ahead of his funeral and burial. Hamas members, including Khaled Meshaal, received the mortal remains of Haniyeh at Doha International Airport. Ismail Haniyeh, who was usually based in Qatar, was killed in Tehran, Iran on July 31 morning in Airstrike. He was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian. Although the strike on Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh was widely assumed to have been carried out by Israel. Amid the Israel-Hamas Conflict, PM Benjamin Netanyahu's government did not claim responsibility and said it would not comment on the killing. Hamas in a statement said that Haniyeh's killing would "take the battle to new dimensions and have major repercussions". Hamas Chief Haniyeh was tough-talking face of Palestinian group's international diplomacy as war raged back in Gaza. He had a major hand in building up Hamas' fighting capacity, partly by nurturing ties with Shi'ite Muslim Iran. He will be buried at a cemetery in Lusail, north of the Qatari capital on August 02, following funeral prayers.
02 August,2024 11:58 AM IST
While emphasising the importance of the Chabahar Port agreement inked between New Delhi and Tehran, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar expressed gratitude to late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, the two leaders who died in a plane crash, for their interest and initiative with the project. The EAM was interacting with the first-time voters at Delhi Tamil Association School in the national capital on May 20. Watch video for more
21 May,2024 11:46 AM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian community and the people of Qatar in Doha. ‘Modi, Modi’ chants were echoed by the Indian community. Notably, PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Qatar. Upon his arrival in Qatar, PM Modi held bilateral talks with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha. PM Modi Qatar visit will also see him meeting the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and conduct meetings on bilateral as well as regional and global issues on February 15. This visit assumes significance as it comes days after a diplomatic victory for India following the release of eight ex-Indian Navy personnel who were detained in Qatar for nearly 18 months since August 2022.
15 February,2024 11:24 AM IST
Qatar released 8 Ex-Navy veterans who were detained in Doha on alleged espionage charges. 7 out of 8 ex-Navy veterans reached India safely on Feb 12 from Qatar after months of captivity. Saurabh Vashisht, one of the Ex-Indian Navy veterans who returned home, expressed his feelings. His family was overwhelmed on his return and thanked PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar for their intervention. As Govt managed to bring back its Navy veterans from Qatar, it is one of the biggest diplomatic wins for India. PM Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have been receiving praise for their diplomatic victory.
14 February,2024 04:03 PM IST
RK Vashisht, father of one of the eight Indian Navy veterans released by Qatar - Saurabh Vashisht thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EAM S Jaishankar and NSA Doval for the safe return of the ex-Navy officers. He said, "I would like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EAM S Jaishankar... They have made the impossible possible. We talked to EAM S Jaishankar regularly and he fulfilled his promise of bringing all 8 officers back home safely... This is a kind of charisma we used to have in fictional stories..."
14 February,2024 01:22 PM IST
Talking about ex-Navy men released from Qatar, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai said that it is a victory for PM Modi. He also praised PM Modi’s diplomatic relationship and said Modi diplomacy is world class after Indian Navy veterans were released from the Qatar Death penalty and returned back to India. “The Modi diplomacy is world-class. Yesterday we have seen eight sailors returned from Qatar, who were sentenced to death sentence, without a scratch. That is a victory for Narendra Modi ji and External Affairs Ministry under S Jaishankar. The old India can never do this. The new India is doing this. Also, the fishermen released from Sri Lankan prison landed in Chennai.,” said Annamalai.
13 February,2024 04:21 PM IST
As many as eight former Indian Navy personnel were released from Qatar on February 12. The Qatar authorities had announced their verdict of death sentence to the Indian men as they were charged of espionage. On Feb 12, seven of the eight Ex-Indian Navy veterans landed in Delhi and they hailed PM Modi for his intervention. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has received praise for the diplomatic victory in Qatar. Even Pakistani political expert hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing back former Navy veterans after being released from the Qatar Death Penalty. Pakistani political analyst Dr Qamar Cheema uploaded a video on his YouTube channel with a title “Modi Magic Worked in Qatar”. Notably, PM Modi met with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of COP 28 Summit in Dubai. Navy veterans who returned from Qatar also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal intervention.
13 February,2024 01:09 PM IST
A major diplomatic win for India; eight of the ex-Indian Navy personnel were released from Qatar on Feb 12. Former Navy men were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme and were sentenced to Qatar death penalty. Following intervention by India’s MEA, the capital punishment was later commuted to an extended prison term. Seven of the total eight former Indian Navy personnel returned home from Qatar on February 12. Notably, PM Modi met with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of COP 28 Summit in Dubai. COP 28 Summit was held from 30 Nov till 12 Dec 2023, after the Qatar authorities had announced their verdict in the case. The release of the Navy personnel accused of espionage marks a big diplomatic win for India. It also shows the strengthening of bilateral relations between India and Qatar.
12 February,2024 05:12 PM IST
A big diplomatic win for India; 8 of the former Navy officials were freed by Qatar on February 12. Former Navy men were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme and were sentenced to Qatar Death penalty. Meanwhile, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor congratulated those who worked behind the scenes for their release. Seven of the total eight former Indian Navy personnel returned home from Qatar on February 12. The capital punishment was later commuted to an extended prison term following diplomatic intervention by MEA. Earlier, MEA had assured that it would arrange legal assistance to bring Ex-Navy veterans back home. Notably, PM Modi met with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of COP 28 Summit in Dubai. On Oct 30, 2023, External Affairs Minister met with the family members of 8 Indians detained in Qatar.
12 February,2024 02:49 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
