Stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims have returned home safely, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju confirmed on Friday, 23 October 2026 — and the government's 24x7 control rooms in Saudi Arabia remain open for those still awaiting assistance.

Over 10,000 pilgrims already back; more assistance under way

Rijiju's post detailed that the stranded pilgrims have now been repatriated, on top of more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims who had already returned earlier. 'Remaining Umrah pilgrims are being assisted,' he wrote, signalling that the operation is still in progress.

The announcement underlines the scale of Indian religious travel to Saudi Arabia, which hosts millions of Indian pilgrims for Umrah and Hajj every year. India's diplomatic missions in the Kingdom routinely activate emergency cells during peak seasons to handle stranding, medical emergencies, and documentation problems.

Control room contacts: Riyadh and Jeddah missions on standby

The Embassy of India, Riyadh can be reached on +966-554412016 and +966-542126784, with a toll-free number 8002471234 for calls from within Saudi Arabia, and a WhatsApp line at +966-536216082 (messages only). The Consulate General of India, Jeddah — the mission closest to the holy sites — is reachable on +966-12-2614093 and +966-556122301, with WhatsApp at +966-536209704 (messages only).

The Jeddah consulate has historically been the primary point of contact for pilgrims in distress, given its proximity to Mecca and the volume of Umrah traffic through the port city. Operating these lines round the clock reflects a long-standing consular protocol India activates whenever large numbers of citizens are concentrated in the region.

Minority Affairs minister's role in pilgrim welfare

As Minister of Minority Affairs, Rijiju holds direct institutional responsibility for policies touching the welfare of Muslim pilgrims. His personal amplification of the helpline details — rather than leaving it to a departmental release — signals the political priority the government is placing on reassuring anxious families back home.

India maintains one of the largest annual Umrah contingents in the world, and any disruption to pilgrim travel draws immediate public attention. The swift messaging, paired with granular contact details, is designed to cut through anxiety and direct affected families to verified government channels.

For Indian pilgrims or their families still seeking help, the clock is running — and two diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia are picking up the phone.