BJP member Subramanian Swamy, a known critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attributed the release of eight Indian Navy veterans from Qatar to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, criticizing Modi for his inability to secure the veterans through diplomatic channels.
Swamy took a dig at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take Shah Rukh Khan with him on his upcoming visits to UAE and Qatar.
Swamy's assertions gained traction on social media, prompting Shah Rukh Khan's office to issue a clarification to the media regarding the actor's purported involvement in the matter.
Khan's office unequivocally stated that the actor's visit to Qatar was unrelated to the mediation of the Navy veterans' release. They emphasized that such rumours were baseless and extended credit to the Indian Government for achieving a successful resolution.
Swamy claimed that after MEA and NSA's failed attempts to persuade the Qatari authorities, Modi sought Khan's intervention, resulting in an "expensive settlement" that led to the release of the naval officers. This revelation comes in response to PM Modi's announcement of his upcoming visits to UAE and Qatar to strengthen bilateral relations.
The backstory involves the commutation of capital punishment for the jailed Indian Navy veterans, initially arrested on charges of espionage. Following diplomatic talks between Qatar and India, the harsh sentences were replaced with an extended prison term. As of the latest update from the MEA on February 12, seven out of the eight former Navy officers have returned to India.
Notably, Shah Rukh Khan was spotted in Qatar on February 10, attending the AFC Asian Cup Final, where he received a warm welcome from Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Than.