Seven former Indian Navy officers chanted “Bharat Mata ki Jai” at the Delhi airport.

New Delhi: In a major development, seven of the eight Indian Navy veterans, who were released by a Qatar court, months after being sentenced to death on 'espionage' charges, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their arrival in New Delhi on Monday morning. During an interaction with the reporters, some of these veterans said they wouldn't have been released had it for the sustained diplomatic efforts at his behest to secure their release.

The seven former Indian Navy officers chanted “Bharat Mata ki Jai” after their arrival at the Delhi airport, reported news agency ANI.

One of the Navy veterans even thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising their sentencing with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The veteran officers also attributed their release to relentless diplomatic efforts at his behest.

"I feel relieved and delighted to finally be back home safe and sound. I wish to thank Prime Minister Modi as this wouldn't have been possible had it not been for his personal intervention to secure our release. I also wish to express my gratitude to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar," said one of the released officer. 

Another released former naval officer said, "Without the intervention of PM Modi, we would not have walked free. We wouldn't be standing before you today had it not been for his untiring efforts and interventions at the highest levels to get us freedom."