Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia urges Indians to stay indoors during aerial attacks
Synopsis
With Riyadh airport shut and Indian carriers grounding Saudi flights, India's Ambassador has gone on video to tell over 2.5 million Indians in the Kingdom to stay indoors during aerial attacks — and warned that filming the strikes is illegal under Saudi law. Eleven Indians were injured and one killed in the 10 October attack, making this one of the most consequential diaspora advisories India has issued in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh issued a safety advisory on 15 October 2025 , urging Indians to stay indoors during aerial attacks.
Ambassador Vipul confirmed one Indian national died and 11 were injured in the 10 October attack on Riyadh airport .
Air India and IndiGo have cancelled all flights to and from Saudi Arabia; Saudia , flynas , and flyadeal continue operating to India.
The Embassy has launched helplines for Umrah pilgrims affected by the disruptions.
Filming or sharing footage of the attacks is prohibited under Saudi law , the Ambassador cautioned.
India's MEA described the strikes on civilian infrastructure as 'unacceptable' and reaffirmed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh on Thursday, 15 October 2025, issued an urgent advisory to the Indian community in Saudi Arabia, urging residents to remain calm, stay alert, and shelter indoors in the event of an aerial attack. The advisory came as Air India and IndiGo suspended flights to and from the Kingdom, while Saudi carriers continue to operate services to India.
Ambassador's Message to the Indian Community
India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Vipul, delivered a video message to the Indian diaspora in the wake of recent attacks on civilian infrastructure in the country. Ambassador Vipul stated that India had condemned the strikes and reaffirmed solidarity with the Gulf nation.
'We stand in complete solidarity with the people and leadership of Saudi Arabia. We also express condolences to the families of the people who have lost their lives in these attacks, and we wish speedy recovery to those who were injured,' the Ambassador said.
He confirmed that the Embassy is in active contact with the family of an Indian national who lost his life in the 10 October attack on Riyadh airport, as well as with hospital authorities and the families of 11 Indians who were injured in the assault.
Flight Disruptions and Alternatives for Travellers
With Riyadh airport closed following the attacks, both Air India and IndiGo have cancelled flights across the entire Kingdom. However, Ambassador Vipul clarified that Saudi carriers — Saudia, flynas, and flyadeal — are still operating flights to India. He also advised affected travellers to consider routing through neighbouring Gulf countries as an alternative.
The Embassy has additionally launched helplines specifically for Umrah pilgrims facing inconvenience due to the disruptions, and has urged those planning to travel to Saudi Arabia from India to factor in potential delays and cancellations.
Safety Guidelines for Indians in Saudi Arabia
'In the current situation, all of us have to remain calm and alert. Especially in case of an aerial attack, we have to remain indoors,' Ambassador Vipul said. He also issued a critical caution: sharing photographs or videos of the attacks is prohibited under Saudi law and could expose individuals to serious legal consequences.
India's Official Position on the Attacks
On Wednesday, India formally reiterated its condemnation of strikes targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, describing them as 'unacceptable' and affirming solidarity with Riyadh in defence of its sovereignty. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, noted that travellers moving between India and Saudi Arabia have been directly affected by the disruption in flight operations.
This comes amid a broader pattern of escalating regional tensions that have repeatedly disrupted civil aviation and placed expatriate communities across the Gulf under strain. With over 2.5 million Indians residing in Saudi Arabia — one of the largest Indian diaspora communities in the world — the Embassy's guidance carries wide-ranging implications for livelihoods, pilgrimages, and family travel.
The situation remains fluid, and the Embassy is expected to issue further updates as conditions on the ground evolve.
Point of View
Not just a webpage update. What deserves closer scrutiny is the gap between India's diplomatic language — 'unacceptable', 'complete solidarity' — and the absence of any named aggressor in official statements, a silence that reflects the geopolitical tightrope New Delhi walks in the Gulf. For the 2.5 million Indians whose livelihoods depend on Saudi Arabia, the grounding of Air India and IndiGo is not just an inconvenience — it is an economic rupture. The government's response on alternative routing and repatriation, if needed, will be the real test of its diaspora-welfare apparatus.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia advised Indians to do during aerial attacks?
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has advised Indians in Saudi Arabia to remain calm and alert, and to stay indoors in the event of an aerial attack. Ambassador Vipul also warned that sharing photos or videos of attacks is illegal under Saudi law.
Why have Air India and IndiGo cancelled flights to Saudi Arabia?
Air India and IndiGo cancelled flights following the closure of Riyadh airport after recent aerial attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Both carriers suspended operations across the entire Kingdom, according to the Embassy's advisory.
Are there any flights still operating between India and Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Saudi carriers Saudia, flynas, and flyadeal continue to operate flights to India despite the disruptions. Travellers can also route through neighbouring Gulf countries as an alternative.
How many Indians were affected by the 10 October attack on Riyadh airport?
One Indian national lost their life in the 10 October attack on Riyadh airport, and 11 others were injured. The Indian Embassy confirmed it is in contact with the deceased's family and with hospital authorities treating the injured.
What is India's official position on the attacks in Saudi Arabia?
India has condemned the attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, calling them 'unacceptable'. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated this position at a media briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia in defence of its sovereignty.
