India said on Thursday that it is still in contact with the family of an Indian former naval officer who is being held in Qatar and that it is providing all assistance that it can.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained that various judicial proceedings concerning former navy commander Purnendu Tiwari should not be confused in response to a media question about his ongoing detention notwithstanding relief in a different case.

"On the question about Commander Tiwari, let me be very clear: please don't conflate two issues," Jaiswal said to the reporters. You are referring to a different court ruling from March 12th. Along with the Omani owner and another Qatari officer, he was condemned by the Court of Cassation in Qatar. This ruling was made in February of 2026. He was granted relief in the other case you mentioned on March 12th, but he is currently being held in this specific case where the Court of Cassation of Qatar rendered a decision and condemned him. The verdict was rendered in February of 2026.

"We are in contact with his family and we are offering all possible support," he stated. I would like to reiterate that this case, in which Commander Tiwari has been punished, is distinct from the one in which he and others were released as a result of the Government of India's involvement, as we observe that all matters become confused. Two distinct cases exist.
The MEA also promised to mobilise all diplomatic channels and set up legal aid for Indian nationals held in Qatar during a previous press briefing.Jaiswal had previously stated that the eighth person is still in Qatar because of some unfinished business, even though seven of the eight had returned to India.
The death sentences given to all eight defendants earlier in October 2023 were commuted by Qatar's Court of Appeal on December 28, 2023. Although the charges were not formally made public, the individuals had been charged with espionage pertaining to a submarine program.
On the fringes of the COP28 meeting in Dubai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously met with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, to discuss bilateral relations and the welfare of the Indian minority in Qatar.