Tag Archives: diaspora

Indians in Saudi Arabia Told to Stay Indoors as Houthi Attacks Escalate

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India has advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert, stay indoors when necessary and follow instructions issued by local authorities as attacks claimed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group target airports in the kingdom.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh issued the advisory on Thursday, October 8, amid escalating hostilities affecting civilian infrastructure and air travel. It also urged Indian nationals not to circulate or repost videos and news related to the ongoing events, cautioning against the spread of unverified information.

The advisory comes as airlines suspend services to Riyadh and passengers face disruption amid the deteriorating security situation.

Embassy and Consulate Continue to Function

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said it would continue to issue updates as the situation evolves. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah and outsourced consular services through VFS were also reported to be functioning normally.

Indian nationals requiring assistance can contact the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra’s 24-hour helpline at 8002471234, the embassy said.

The mission urged citizens to rely on official communications and follow directions from Saudi authorities rather than act on unverified reports circulating online.

Flights Cancelled Amid Airport Attacks

Air India, IndiGo and Air India Express cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, citing the security situation. The airlines said affected passengers would be eligible for a full refund or other applicable travel options, according to their respective announcements.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh also advised passengers to check directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport.

The Houthi group has claimed attacks on Saudi airports in recent days amid its confrontation with Saudi Arabia, which backs the internationally recognised government of Yemen. Saudi authorities have reported deaths and injuries in attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports.

India has condemned attacks targeting the two airports, describing strikes against civilian infrastructure as unacceptable. The escalation has raised concerns for the safety of Indian nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia, as well as travellers whose journeys may be affected by flight disruptions.

Indian citizens should monitor advisories from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah, follow local emergency instructions and confirm flight status with airlines before departing for an airport.

India to undertake biggest evacuation of citizens stranded abroad amid coronavirus pandemic

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India is preparing the ground for what is billed as the biggest evacuation of its citizens, millions of them, stranded in several countries abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic beginning with the registration forms being opened online onTuesday, May 5, on their respective Indian embassy website.

Once the information is collected, India’s flag carrier Air India is ready to screen and repatriate all those willing to return home, including the United States, Europe and Asia. Quoting a senior official, ANI reported that the Indian missions will be asked to compile a list through this registration and repatriation will be coordinated with respective states. This registration exercise would help the Government of India to assess and plan for the return of Indian nationals wishing to return home for “compelling” reasons.

ANI further reported that the government has listed some categories, who would be given priority and who will get accommodated in special repatriation flights, followed by the students stranded in foreign countries. “The Middle East will first be the focus. We are still formulating if the citizens stranded will be airlifted by the Air India or commercial flights,” the source told ANI.

It is learnt from Kerala that more than 25 lakh Keralites are stranded in several Gulf countries and seeking to return home immediately. “On landing in India, every citizen will be screened to figure out if the person should be sent to quarantine centres or straight to the hospital,” the official added.

On those who are stranded in the US, the official told ANI, “The exact number of Indians stranded in the United States is still to be gathered, but the New York jurisdiction of the Indian mission alone has more than a million Indians, who have shown a willingness to return to their homes.”

However, there is no official confirmation of any evacuation flight from the US to India so far though many NRI organisations are coordinating with the authorities on evacuation plans, mainly for stranded students and visitors. ANI reported that the main purpose of this information sheet is to collect actionable data on Indian nationals willing to travel to India urgently. The registration is likely to be finished by Thursday and further plans will be announced by the government.