India is walking a diplomatic and legal tightrope after a court in Qatar sentenced eight men, all former Indian Navy personnel, to death on charges of spying.

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has promised the families of the men that the government would do everything in its power to bring its nationals home.

While it is reassuring to the families of the incarcerated men on death row, the case is still shrouded in mystery as details haven’t been released by Qatar officials.

Why did they , if they did, and at whose behest? Details are sketchy. Some of the men were senior decorated officers. They had no reason to indulge in espionage, said the sister of one of the men who is working for his release.

Legally, the verdict handed by the Court of First Instance can be appealed, and the Indian government should provide legal assistance to the men while talking to authorities in Qatar for a diplomatic denoeument to the case.

That said, it is a sensitive issue, and the court’s verdict should not be allowed to jeopardise relations between two friendly nations. New Delhi must tackle the case on two fronts, which the government appears to be doing at this stage.

Patience is vital, and it would be premature to jump to conclusions. It is, therefore, important to let the law take its course and allow the governments of Qatar and India to find a just diplomatic solution in the best interests of their thriving relationship.