World · India Bureau
India Brings Home 3,000 Stranded Umrah Pilgrims from Saudi Arabia
Indian authorities have successfully facilitated the return of approximately 3,000 umrah pilgrims who were stranded in Saudi Arabia. The repatriation efforts come as part of broader operations to bring Indian travellers back home.
LSN India ·
India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the return of around 3,000 stranded umrah pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in ongoing repatriation efforts. The pilgrims, who had been unable to complete their journey or return home as planned, have been brought back through coordinated operations between Indian authorities and Saudi officials.
Beyond the stranded travellers, the ministry revealed that over 10,000 regularly scheduled pilgrims have also returned to India during the same period. These scheduled departures reflect the normalisation of umrah travel patterns and the resumption of regular pilgrim flights between the two nations.
Indian authorities have maintained active engagement with Saudi Arabian counterparts to streamline the return process for affected pilgrims. The efforts underscore New Delhi's commitment to assisting Indian nationals abroad, particularly those facing travel disruptions.
The dual operation—addressing both stranded and regularly scheduled pilgrims—demonstrates a comprehensive approach to managing pilgrim movements and ensuring safe passage for Indian citizens undertaking the religious journey to the Kingdom.
Photo: Pilgrims perform tawaf around the Kaaba at Masjid al-Haram, Mecca, September 2012. Basheer Olakara via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).