250 Indian Haj Pilgrims Stranded in Kuwait
He also requested special evacuation or chartered flights from Kuwait to India on an urgent basis.
Hyderabad:More than 250 Indian Haj pilgrims are stranded in Kuwait after Saudi transit visas were abruptly discontinued. The move has also affected Indians in Kuwait returning home via Saudi Arabia’s transit route. Bringing this to the notice of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Majlis Bachao Tahreek (MBT) urged for “immediate intervention.”
In a letter to Union minister for external affairs S. Jaishankar, MBT leader Amjedullah Khan described the situation as “distressing.” Citing the latest advisory issued by the Embassy of India in Kuwait, he said facilitation of Saudi transit visas had been discontinued due to the ongoing Haj season. This step, he noted, effectively shut down a crucial route through which stranded Indian nationals were earlier able to return home.
Amjedullah urged the MEA to engage with Saudi authorities to explore exemptions or alternative arrangements for pilgrims affected by the sudden discontinuation of transit visas. He also requested special evacuation or chartered flights from Kuwait to India on an urgent basis.
On April 15, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait issued an advisory on X, stating that facilitation of Saudi transit visas for Indian nationals in Kuwait was being discontinued with “immediate effect” due to the upcoming Haj season. It advised travellers intending to transit via Saudi Arabia to consult their airlines for immigration requirements, transit procedures, and visa formalities before making arrangements. “The Embassy of India in Kuwait will not be accepting or processing any further requests for Saudi transit visas under the previous arrangement until further notice,” the advisory said.
