India Working to Bring Home Stranded Umrah Pilgrims from Saudi Arabia as Regional Conflict Continues
NEW DELHI — India is coordinating with airlines and tour operators to bring home thousands of Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing regional conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs said Friday.
Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had returned to India over the past week aboard available flights. Another 10,000 pilgrims who had previously booked flights also returned during the same period.
Indian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia remain in close contact with airlines, travel operators and affected nationals as efforts continue to arrange transportation for those still awaiting flights.
“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,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing in New Delhi.
Officials are discussing additional arrangements to help remaining pilgrims return as soon as possible, he added.
India’s Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are working with community volunteers to assist stranded travelers. Both diplomatic missions have established round-the-clock control rooms to provide assistance and information to Indian nationals.
The missions are also issuing regular advisories to keep Indian citizens informed about security conditions and travel disruptions.
The repatriation efforts come amid escalating attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia that have resulted in casualties among Indian nationals.
On Thursday, India condemned attacks on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field on October 21.
According to the Foreign Ministry, one Indian national was killed and two others were injured in the airport attack. Another Indian citizen sustained injuries in the attack on the oil field.
“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,” the ministry said.
The Indian government expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
India’s Embassy in Riyadh remains in contact with Saudi authorities to coordinate assistance for affected citizens.
The ministry also reiterated its opposition to attacks targeting civilian facilities and critical infrastructure, calling for an immediate end to the violence.
“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,” the ministry said.
Indian officials said diplomatic missions would continue assisting stranded pilgrims and coordinating their return as transportation options become available. (Source: IANS)
