News Desk: India has strongly condemned the recent attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, describing the strikes as “completely unacceptable” and calling for an immediate halt to such actions. The government has also stepped up efforts to help Indian pilgrims stranded in the country following flight cancellations amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday evening, October 21, killed two people, including an Indian national, while eight others were injured. Two Indians were among those injured. In a separate incident, another Indian national was injured by debris from a drone intercepted over Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield in the Eastern Province.
In an official statement on Thursday, India expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and offered condolences to the family of the Indian national killed in the airport attack. The government also wished a speedy recovery to those injured and reiterated its support for protecting Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty.
India called for an early return to peace and normalcy in the region, urging all parties to stop attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is coordinating with Saudi authorities to provide assistance to affected Indian nationals. Meanwhile, Indian diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are working with airlines, tour operators and community volunteers to facilitate the return of pilgrims stranded in the country.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around 3,000 stranded Indian pilgrims had returned to India on available flights over the past week. In addition, more than 10,000 pilgrims who were not stranded had also returned during the same period.
Arrangements are being discussed to help the remaining Umrah pilgrims return home as soon as possible.
The situation has raised concerns after Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air, suspended certain flights following the latest escalation of hostilities. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi had claimed that around 4,000 Indian pilgrims were stranded in Makkah and Madinah.
The latest attacks reflect growing tensions involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government. An earlier attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 reportedly killed one Indian and injured 10 others.
The wider West Asia conflict has already claimed the lives of 19 Indian nationals, including 11 seafarers, while dozens more have been injured across the region. India has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis.
More than 10 million Indians live and work in West Asia, many employed in sectors such as construction, oilfields and infrastructure. With tensions continuing to rise, the safety of Indian citizens remains a major concern for New Delhi.
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