Seven of the eight Indian navy veterans, who on Monday were released by a Qatari court months after being sentenced to death on charges of 'espionage', praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his sustained and proactive diplomatic efforts to secure their release. The Navy veterans returned to India after an 18-month imprisonment in Qatar. The personnel said that they would not have been freed had it not been for the diplomatic efforts at PM Modi's behest for their release. They also raised 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' chants after arriving at the Delhi airport. One of the officers told news agency ANI: "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." Another Navy veteran also thanked the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bim Hamad Al Thand for their release. "We are very happy to be back and it wouldn't have been possible had the honourable Prime Minister not taken personal interest in the matter. I also thank the Qatar Emir for his personal involvement in the matter," the former Navy official said.