In a special gesture, Qatar releases 23 Indian prisoners

Qatar on Tuesday released 23 Indian prisoners, in a special gesture just after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi, who had taken up the issue of welfare of Indians here with the leadership of Qatar, expressed gratitude to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for this gesture that coincided with the start of holy month of Ramadan.

"A special gesture to mark the start of a special month...the Government of Qatar releases 23 prisoners, who will return home to India," the Prime Minister tweeted.

"My deepest gratitude to the Emir of Qatar for the gesture," he said in another tweet.

The release comes close on the heels of Modi's two-day visit here.

According to officials, the Prime Minister had been assured by the Emir that Qatar will take care of Indian diaspora whose population is about 6.3 lakh.