Indian missions in Saudi Arabia working to facilitate early return of stranded pilgrims

Amid escalating attacks by Yemeni Houthi (Ansar Allah) forces on Saudi Arabia, Indian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are working with stakeholders to facilitate the early return of thousands of stranded Indian pilgrims, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (October 22, 2026).

“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. Over the past week, about 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have travelled from Saudi Arabia back to India on available flights,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

He said volunteers from the Indian community in Saudi Arabia are also assisting the ongoing official efforts. International flight connections to Saudi Arabia have been disrupted following Houthi attacks on several major airports in the country, including the capital, Riyadh, and Dammam. Besides Indians, many pilgrims from other countries are also stranded in Saudi Arabia.

“Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest,” said Mr. Jaiswal.

Meanwhile, the MEA strongly condemned 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.

“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,” said the MEA statement.

Call for intervention

Earlier, AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi took to social media to flag the plight of around 4,000 Indian pilgrims who had flown to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage but were stranded because Indian carriers like IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air had cancelled their flights due to the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian airports.

Mr. Owaisi called for “urgent intervention” from the Government of India and said, “The DGCA must give these airlines permission to run flights with large aircraft so that these stranded pilgrims can return to India. If not, at least specified flights must be arranged to bring them back.”

Earlier on Thursday, the spokesperson of the Houthi forces said that a large boat carrying 14 Indians came under attack near the Red Sea close to the Bab al-Mandeb, the vital strait that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Indian officials have not confirmed any assistance reaching the struck boat so far while the Indian embassy in Yemen has said, “We have seen reports regarding an incident involving 14 Indian nationals on board a yacht off the coast of Yemen today. We are ascertaining further details about the incident and will provide all possible help for ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals.”

The MEA has put out the following numbers of the 24×7 Control Rooms — Embassy of India, Riyadh: Telephone: +966-554412016; +966-542126784 Toll-free: 8002471234 (Calls from within Saudi Arabia only) WhatsApp: +966-536216082 (Messages only) Consulate General of India, Jeddah: Telephone: +966-12-2614093; +966-556122301 WhatsApp: +966-536209704 (Messages only).