What happened?

A court in Qatar has given the death penalty to eight former Indian Navy officers. They were arrested last year, accused of spying on Qatar's submarine program on behalf of Israel. Qatar claims that it has electronic evidence that these individuals revealed sensitive state secrets. However, it hasn't made the specific charges against these individuals public.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is attaching "high importance" to this case and will explore all legal actions to handle it.

Why does it matter?

The lack of communication is surprising, given the historically friendly relations between India and Qatar. These factors underline the importance of their ties:

1. Migrant Population: Over 7.8 lakh Indians live in Qatar, acting as a bridge between the two countries. Indians are the largest group of foreign residents in Qatar.

2. Trade and Commerce:

• Their bilateral trade is valued at US $15 billion. India is among the top sources of Qatar's imports.

• According to the MEA, Qatar is the largest supplier of Liquified Natural Gas to India, which accounts for over 48% of India's global LNG imports.

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is also keen on signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India. GCC is a regional organisation with six members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. India can use this as leverage to ask for concessions from Qatar.

3. Defence: It is the "pillar" of India-Qatar ties.

• The India-Qatar Defence Cooperation Agreement was signed in 2008. It includes provisions for the training of the Qatari Emiri Naval Force (QENF) by India and mutual visits, showing the significance of defence cooperation,

• Indian Naval and Coast Guard ships also regularly visit Qatar. And QENF delegates participate in maritime exercises with India.

Recent challenges in the relationship

This verdict marks the second major crisis in India-Qatar relations. The first happened last year when the BJP spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, made derogatory remarks against the Prophet on a TV show. Qatar was the first country to object and demanded a public apology from India. India quickly addressed the issue by removing Sharma from her position to stop the outrage from spreading across the Islamic world.

What's next?

India and Qatar signed an agreement on the exchange of sentenced prisoners in 2015. So, Indian nationals convicted in Qatar can be brought back home to serve their term.

The full judgment is expected to be available soon and can be appealed in the Court of Appeal within 15 days. The families of the sentenced officials have already submitted a Mercy Plea to the Emir (Ruler) of Qatar.

Furthermore, suppose India believes that due process of law has not been followed. In that case, it can take the matter to the International Court of Justice. Since Qatar has not yet revealed the charges against the men, concerns about transparency in the legal proceedings exist.

Dose of Positivity

Bridging cultures through Ramleela

Since 1972, in Bakshi Ka Talab near Lucknow, a remarkable tradition has been breaking religious boundaries. Here, people of different faiths come together to perform various roles in Ramayana. For instance, Salman Khan plays the central role of Lord Rama, Sahil Khan becomes Laxman, and Farhan portrays Sita. Together, they create an atmosphere where people unite in devotion and religious differences dissolve.

Salman often questions why some individuals attempt to spread hatred nationwide when we can coexist with brotherhood and solidarity.

Once, when Ramadan (the Holy month of fasting for Muslims) and Navratri (a Hindu festival) overlapped, concerns arose about how everyone would manage Ramleela. So, on the final day, the artists broke their fast on the stage just before the performance to ensure a smooth show!

Bonus section

How to deal with anxiety?

Here's a little secret: Anxiety affects everyone, even successful people. It is the body's response to real or perceived threats. But it becomes a concern when it starts interfering with your daily life.

To manage anxiety effectively, you can try the 5-4-3-2-1 coping technique, which involves engaging your senses.

• Five: Look around your room and name five things you see. These could be objects like a lamp, a book, a plant on your desk, or even a passing car outside.

• Four: Next, identify four things you can touch. Like the texture of the wooden table, the softness of your clothing, the warmth of your coffee mug, or the floor beneath your feet.

• Three: Listen carefully and acknowledge three things you can hear. These might include the sound of a distant car passing by, a clock ticking, birds chirping, or your breath.

• Two: Focus on things you can smell. For instance, you might notice the fragrance of the scented candle or your morning coffee.

• One: Lastly, concentrate on your sense of taste. Notice the flavour of the gum you're chewing, the freshness of your toothpaste or the lip gloss you're wearing.

Try combining these steps with deep breathing for better results. However, if the anxiety persists, please seek professional help to maximise your potential.

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