Indian Umrah pilgrims: New Delhi mobilises consular network as Owaisi urges flights
Consular teams and round-the-clock control rooms are assisting stranded nationals in Saudi Arabia after regional strikes disrupted flights.
New Delhi has intensified diplomatic and consular efforts to support Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia following disruptions caused by regional drone and missile attacks on civil infrastructure, as Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi urged the Union government to clear special flights for stranded Umrah pilgrims.
Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), requested urgent intervention on Thursday, stating that around 4,000 pilgrims were facing severe hardship across Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. The parliamentarian noted that several pilgrims, many from modest financial backgrounds, had been left stranded after private travel agents failed to provide adequate arrangements when scheduled services were interrupted.
Owaisi appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to grant permission for Indian carriers — including IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air — to deploy larger aircraft to Jeddah to repatriate those awaiting travel.
Swift diplomatic response on the ground
India's diplomatic machinery moved quickly to address the situation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Indian diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah have deployed dedicated teams and active helplines to coordinate departures and provide welfare support.
Over the past week alone, consular authorities facilitated the return of approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims on available services, in addition to managing the orderly travel of more than 10,000 regular pilgrims booked on commercial routes, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.
| Pilgrim travel status | Passenger count | Coordinating body |
|---|---|---|
| Stranded pilgrims repatriated | 3,000 | MEA and Indian missions |
| Routine pilgrims cleared | 10,000+ | Commercial carriers |
| Awaiting return | 4,000 | Tour operators and airlines |
"Our embassy and consulate, with the support from community volunteers, are extending all possible welfare assistance. 24×7 control rooms have been established," Jaiswal said, noting continuous engagement with domestic airlines and tour agencies to accelerate travel clearances.
Firm condemnation of infrastructure strikes
The travel disruptions follow regional strikes by Yemen's Houthi militia targeting aviation and energy sites in Saudi Arabia, which claimed the life of an Indian national and injured two others. While the MEA reported casualties from an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, local community accounts in Hyderabad separately identified a victim, Mohammed Yousuf, killed in an airport strike in the Kingdom.
New Delhi issued a firm diplomatic rebuke against strikes directed at civil aviation hubs and residential facilities, reiterating that targeting critical infrastructure is entirely unacceptable.
"These attacks have unfortunately resulted in civilian deaths and injuries. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and wish speedy recovery to those injured," the MEA said, affirming India's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereign territory while diplomatic teams remain on high alert to assist every affected citizen.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated stranded Umrah pilgrims | 4,000 | Asaduddin Owaisi |
| Stranded pilgrims repatriated over the past week | About 3,000 | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Normal pilgrims returned over the past week | More than 10,000 | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Indian casualties in Saudi infrastructure attacks | 1 dead, 2 injured | Ministry of External Affairs |
Questions readers are asking
Why are Indian Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia?
Flight operations faced disruptions following regional drone and missile attacks on aviation and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, leaving approximately 4,000 pilgrims facing flight rescheduling and travel delays.
What steps has the Indian government taken to assist stranded citizens?
The Ministry of External Affairs established round-the-clock control rooms in Riyadh and Jeddah, coordinating with commercial airlines and community groups, facilitating the return of 3,000 stranded travellers alongside 10,000 regular passengers over the past week.
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Country where the pilgrims are stranded and where infrastructure attacks took place |
| Asaduddin Owaisi | AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP who called for special evacuation flights |
| Ministry of External Affairs | Indian ministry coordinating consular relief and 24x7 control rooms |
