Indian embassy engaging with airlines for early return of affected pilgrims from Saudi Arabia: MEA
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating with airlines to repatriate approximately 4,000 Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia. The situation follows flight suspensions due to regional security concerns and a recent attack at Dammam's King Fahd International Airport.
Why it matters
Ensuring the safety and return of citizens during regional instability is a critical diplomatic responsibility for the Indian government.
Indian embassy engaging with airlines for early return of affected pilgrims from Saudi Arabia: MEA left Pilgrims perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. File Reuters Reuters https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/5zziew/article71611819.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-10-13T102007Z_425117420_RC2A2OACJKEV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-SAUDI-MECCA.JPG Reuters Muslim pilgrims perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 13, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Our Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are actively engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims." New Delhi Indian embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah are actively engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate early return of affected Indian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (October 22, 2026).
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