India’s foreign ministry announced that eight former officers of the Indian navy have been released by Qatar after their death sentences were dropped. The men were accused of spying for Israel, but the charges were not confirmed by India or Qatar. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was credited for his personal intervention in the case, and it was announced that he will be visiting Qatar on February 14 to hold talks with its ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Seven of the men have returned to India, and efforts are being made to bring back the eighth citizen. New Delhi engaged in talks with Qatar for months after the men were arrested in 2022, challenging ties with Doha, a crucial natural gas supplier to India. The news of the release comes after a significant deal for supplies of liquefied natural gas was signed between Qatari and Indian firms, and after Modi met Sheikh Tamim to discuss the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar.