Nine months on, no word on Navy veteran Purnendu Tiwari

New Delhi: Former Indian Navy Commander Purnendu Tiwari, one of the eight Indian Navy veterans released from Qatari detention earlier this year, remains stranded abroad due to “delays in issuing his travel documents.” Despite a collective pardon granted in February by Qatari authorities to all eight veterans, Tiwari is the only one yet to return to India, causing immense distress to his family. His relatives have been reaching out to various individuals and offices they believe can help, seeking intervention to resolve the issue.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan wrote to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh last week, urging immediate action to expedite the issuance of Tiwari’s travel documents. In her letter, dated 26 November, Mahajan acknowledged the significant efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in securing the veterans’ release. However, she emphasized the urgency of resolving the issue that continues to leave Tiwari stranded.
“All other seven Navy veterans have already returned to India,” Mahajan wrote, highlighting the hardship this delay is causing to Tiwari and his family. She appealed to both ministers for their intervention, describing the situation as one of undue hardship and distress.
Tiwari’s family has spoken out about the impact of the delay. A family member revealed that they have sent multiple petitions to government authorities but are yet to receive any resolution. “It is unduly long for the lone Navy veteran, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, to continue suffering while his peers returned to India on 12 February,” a family member told The Sunday Guardian. They also alleged that the Ministry of External Affairs made a critical error by leaving Tiwari behind in Doha while the others were repatriated.
“They should have asked the Qatar government to repatriate Tiwari too along with the others. Now, our worst fears are coming true as we are getting no clear response from anyone on when he will come back. It is affecting him too, as he has not met his family members for more than two years now,” the family member said.
Tiwari’s 86-year-old mother has been particularly affected by the prolonged delay. “She wonders whether she will ever see her son again,” the family member added, urging the government to take decisive steps to ensure Tiwari’s early return.
The family expressed their gratitude for the initial efforts in securing the veterans’ release but stressed the need for consistent follow-through. “Please do something, for God’s sake. We are just getting the same response from the MEA for months now, stating he will be back. But when? How long are we supposed to wait like this?” they pleaded.