Updated 23 October 2026 at 21:58 IST
The MEA said 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims returned to India in a week as Indian missions assist travellers amid regional tensions and attacks in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia Crisis: MEA Steps Up Efforts To Bring Stranded Indian Pilgrims Home | Image:
AP New Delhi: The Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia are actively engaged with concerned airlines and tour operators to streamline the repatriation of Indian pilgrims who are stuck 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 noted that approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah travellers had successfully returned home over the past seven days, alongside more than 10,000 normal Umrah pilgrims who had also completed their journeys.
When questioned regarding potential government-backed evacuation plans for citizens stranded amid 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, “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 b
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