Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 9: Government sources and foreign policy experts on Monday dismissed concerns raised by some opposition leaders over Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to temporarily halt Umrah, business, and family visit visas for 14 countries, including India.
Critics had alleged that the visa suspension signaled a collapse of India’s foreign policy, but officials clarified that the measure was purely logistical, aimed at managing the massive Haj crowds and ensuring safety.
Saudi Arabia’s visa halt—affecting nationals from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen—is in effect from April to June 2025. The move seeks to curb overcrowding during the annual Haj pilgrimage, especially after over 1,300 pilgrims died last year due to extreme heat and overcrowding.
Officials explained that the temporary suspension targets short-term business, tourism, and family visit visas. Saudi authorities cited misuse of multiple-entry visas, with some travelers staying illegally for work or performing Haj without authorization. To prevent repeat incidents, the kingdom is restricting travel to single-entry visas for the duration of the Haj season.
Saudi Arabia has described the move as temporary, with no specific timeline for review, though it is expected to end by late June when Haj concludes.
Despite the restrictions, Saudi Arabia remains committed to strengthening ties with India under its Vision 2030 plan. Bilateral trade reached USD 43.36 billion in FY 2023-24. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit, both nations signed agreements worth USD 100 billion covering energy, infrastructure, security, and innovation—further cementing bilateral relations.
Experts emphasized that India’s growing global stature, highlighted by its G20 presidency under the theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“One Earth, One Family, One Future”), reflects its inclusive foreign policy and cultural appeal.
They also pointed out that repeated attempts by Beijing and Islamabad to exploit international forums to malign India have consistently failed. Pakistan’s recent efforts to raise Kashmir at the OIC conference in Jakarta fell flat, while India’s diplomatic offensive through Operation Sindoor reinforced its zero-tolerance stance on cross-border terrorism.
Experts concluded that while Saudi Arabia’s temporary visa halt may inconvenience some travelers, it is unlikely to impact the robust bilateral relationship between the two countries.