New Delhi | External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met the family members of eight Indian nationals who were handed down death sentence by a Qatari court, and conveyed to them that the government attaches "highest importance" to the case.

Jaishankar also told the family members that government will make all efforts to secure the release of the Indians.

The eight former Indian Navy personnel were on Thursday handed down death sentence by Qatar's Court of First Instance.

India described the ruling as "deeply" shocking and vowed to explore all legal options in the case.

"Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families," Jaishankar said on 'X'.

"Underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard," he said.

The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.

In its reaction to the ruling by the Qatari court, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that it is attaching "high importance" to this case and is exploring all legal options.

The charges were filed against the eight Indian navy veterans on March 25 and they were tried under Qatari law.