Repatriation plans underway after intense negotiations involving PM Modi and Yemeni leaders

21 July 2025, New Delhi

In a major diplomatic and humanitarian breakthrough, renowned evangelist and Global Peace Initiative founder Dr. K.A. Paul has announced that the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen has been officially suspended, with arrangements now being made for her safe return to India.

Speaking in a video message from Sana’a on Tuesday night, Dr. Paul claimed that after intense negotiations and diplomatic outreach, the Yemeni government had agreed to halt the execution. He credited the intervention of Indian and Yemeni leaders, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs, for their unwavering support.

“Thanks to Prime Minister Modi, Indian leaders, and Yemeni counterparts who worked day and night, we have achieved a major breakthrough,” Dr. Paul said.

A Life on the Line: The Case of Nimisha Priya

Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, was sentenced to death in 2017 for the murder of a Yemeni national. Reports indicate she administered a sedative injection, which inadvertently led to the man’s death. Under Yemen’s Sharia-based legal system, her execution had been scheduled for July 16, 2025.

However, Yemeni law allows the possibility of clemency through “diya”—a form of financial compensation or “blood money”—if the victim’s family accepts it.

India’s Diplomatic & Religious Machinery at Work

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had been closely involved, providing Nimisha with legal representation and consular support throughout the ordeal. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal affirmed that India was in “close contact with Yemeni authorities and other relevant stakeholders.”

Religious leaders also played a critical role. Grand Mufti Sheikh Abu Bakr Ahmad Kanthapuram personally appealed to Yemeni clerics, urging mercy on humanitarian grounds. He stressed that his plea was grounded in the Islamic value of compassion, not religious favoritism.

Family’s Personal Mission and Civil Society Advocacy

Nimisha’s mother had flown to Yemen in a final appeal to the victim’s family. Simultaneously, the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council continued to campaign for her release while urging caution in media reporting to avoid disrupting delicate negotiations.

The issue gained widespread political traction in India. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan, and Congress MP K.C. Venugopal were among those who sought the Prime Minister’s immediate intervention.

Awaiting Formal Confirmation

While official confirmation from Indian or Yemeni authorities is pending, Dr. Paul stated that plans are being made for Priya’s repatriation, potentially via countries like Oman, Egypt, or Turkey. The execution remains suspended as final protocols are worked out.

If successful, the case would set a rare precedent in overturning a foreign death sentence involving an Indian citizen, highlighting the unique synergy of faith-based diplomacy, grassroots advocacy, and international negotiation.