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India condemns Saudi attacks as efforts to repatriate pilgrims continue (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: India on Thursday condemned continued Houthi attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. New Delhi expressed solidarity with Riyadh and called for an immediate end to attacks, while stressing the need for peace and stability in West Asia.
The attack on Wednesday evening killed two people, including an Indian national, while two other Indians were among eight people injured. Another Indian was injured by debris from a drone intercepted over Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield in the Eastern Province on the same day.
“We strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield in the Eastern Province on October 21,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement.
Describing such strikes as “completely unacceptable”, India said attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure must stop immediately.
“We stand in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest,” the statement added.
The ministry conveyed condolences to the family of the Indian national killed in Dammam and wished those injured a speedy recovery. It said the Indian embassy in Riyadh was in contact with Saudi authorities and providing assistance to affected Indian nationals.
The latest attacks come amid escalating 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 killed one Indian and injured 10 others.
Meanwhile, India is working with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight suspensions by Indian carriers amid the escalation of hostilities.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah were “engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected [Indian] pilgrims”.
Our statement on attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia ⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/CT1ZHRz8q4 https://t.co/gbwyQ5Vpjr
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 22, 2026
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Airport Attack: Indian Killed, Several Injured in Dammam Strike
His statement followed AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi’s claim that around 4,000 Indian pilgrims were stranded in Makkah and Madina after Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air cancelled flights.
Jaiswal said approximately 3,000 stranded pilgrims had returned on available flights over the preceding week. More than 10,000 other pilgrims who were not stranded had also returned to India during the same period.
“Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest,” he said. Indian missions, supported by community volunteers, are providing welfare assistance to those affected.
The wider conflict, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, has killed 19 Indians, including 11 seafarers, while dozens more have been injured across the region. India has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy and urged all parties to stop attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.
West Asia is home to more than 10 million Indians, many of whom work in sectors such as oil, infrastructure and aviation.
Meanwhile, the US State Department on Wednesday directed diplomats and their family members to leave its missions in Saudi Arabia, fuelling speculation about a possible US strike on Iran. Reports also indicated that family members of diplomats were being withdrawn from other missions across the region.
