New Delhi | October, 23: The Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia are actively coordinating with regional airlines and tour operators to streamline the repatriation process for Indian pilgrims currently stranded in the Kingdom, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday.
Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reported that approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah travellers have successfully returned home over the past seven days, alongside more than 10,000 normal Umrah pilgrims who completed their scheduled journeys. When questioned regarding potential government-backed evacuation plans for citizens caught in the ongoing conflict, Jaiswal stated:
“They (India’s Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia) remain actively engaged with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of Indian pilgrims who are stuck there. Over the past week, about 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have travelled back home from Saudi Arabia on available flights. In addition, we’ve also had more than 10,000 normal Umrah pilgrims who were booked on the available flights, and they have also travelled back home.” He further detailed the ongoing support mechanisms in place “Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest. Our Embassy and Consulate, they have been in touch with people who are stuck there. They are rendering support and service to them in collaboration with our volunteers, our community volunteers, and they are also running 24×7 control rooms both in Riyadh as also in Jeddah to assist Indian nationals who are there. And they are also issuing regular advisories so that they can be better informed of the situation on the ground.”
The diplomatic updates follow an official statement issued by New Delhi on Thursday, strongly condemning continued attacks impacting civilian and energy infrastructure across Saudi Arabia. The Ministry specifically highlighted recent strikes on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on October 21, while advocating for a swift return to regional stability. The MEA stated:
“We strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on October 21. These attacks have unfortunately resulted in civilian deaths and injuries”
Confirming the impact on Indian nationals, the MEA disclosed that one Indian citizen was killed and two others sustained injuries during the Dammam airport incident, while another Indian national was injured during the Shaybah oil field strike. Officials extended condolences to the bereaved family and wished a full recovery to the injured.
Reaffirming bilateral ties and diplomatic backing, the MEA confirmed that the Indian mission in Riyadh remains in close contact with Saudi authorities to deliver comprehensive assistance, emphasizing India’s solidarity with the Kingdom’s territorial sovereignty:
“We also reiterate that the attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately. We stand in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest”
