NEW DELHI: With the Bahrain airport not seeing any commercial flights since Feb 28, the Indian embassy there has made arrangements for stranded compatriots to return home via Saudi Arabia.”The embassy in Riyadh is obtaining individual transit visa approvals from Saudi govt. Transit visa requests are being referred by Indian embassy in Bahrain to Indian embassy in Riyadh. Priority is being given to stranded Indian nationals, especially those on tourist or short-term visas,” Vinod K Jacob, Indian ambassador to Bahrain, said.As returning via Saudi is the only viable option for Indians stranded in Bahrain as of now, those applying for Saudi transit visa must fulfil certain pre-conditions, like having a confirmed flight ticket for onward travel to India. Saudi transit visa will be valid for 72-96 hours and travellers need to leave the country within this period.Neighbouring Qatar, on the other hand, has started seeing a handful of flights, including to India, by Qatar Airways. But since they are fewer than required, exiting via Saudi remains Plan B for them and there’s a scramble to get the country’s transit visa.The Indian embassy in Doha said: “Qatar Airways operated a Doha-Delhi flight Monday on which more than 300 Indian passengers stranded in Doha travelled to India… close to 1,000 Indians stranded in Doha on transit or short-term visits have departed on Qatar Airways flights over the last three days.”Indian govt is keen to have more flights to West Asia. Civil aviation ministry will hold a meeting with airlines and other stakeholders on this issue on Tuesday.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’One Phone Call From PM Modi Can End This Issue’: UAE Envoy On Iran-Israel-US WarIndia’s Top Military Commander Says AI Will Decide Future Wars, Admit India Is Taking Baby StepsIran Defies Trump, Chooses Khamenei’s Son As Supreme Leader; U.S Bombs Iran School, Shows New VideoIs India’s Internet Connectivity At Risk With War Threatening Undersea Cables At Strait Of Hormuz?Crude Oil Rally Near 120 Dollars, Raises Big Question If India Can Survive Crisis With Russian OilUS-Iran War Triggers Massive Selloff On Dalal Street, Investors Lose Rs 12 Lakh Crore In Single DayBengal’s Tribal and SC/ST Votes In Spotlight as BJP Ramps Up Outreach Amid President Protocol RowJaishankar Statement On Iran War Sparks Walkout As Opposition Demands Full Debate, BJP Hits BackLok Sabha Arithmetic Takes Center Stage As Opposition Moves No-Confidence Motion On Speaker Om Birla”Never Seen Such Irresponsible Oppn…” Rijiju Hits Out At Oppn Over Uproar In Parliament123PhotostoriesGaurav Khanna opens up about his possible return to Anupamaa and addresses questions about his Bigg Boss 19 prize money and car; says, “I’m yet to receive them”How to classic Paneer Kofta Curry for lunch at homeFrom blood diamonds to lab-grown gold: Is the jewellery industry finally evolving?8 traditional ways to enjoy Parwal or Pointed Gourd during summer seasonIndian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah house in Ahmedabad: Spacious living, elegant interiors, serene bedroom and modern gymFrom Sanjana Ganesan to Mahieka Sharma: Meet the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of 2026 T20 World Cup-winning cricketersFrequent calf cramps while walking: Doctors explain when it may signal circulation problems, not dehydrationSingapore’s costliest real estate streets for wealthy buyers and investors in 2026A bridge for giants: Elephants use Bengaluru’s first wildlife overpassInside Jasprit Bumrah’s Car Collection: 5 luxury cars he owns123Hot PicksIran war newsStock Market todayMojtaba KhameneiPakistan Oil Price TodayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingHardik PandyaUS Stock Market todayUS Strike on Iran OilBengal assembly electionsBalendra ShahPakistan Fuel shortageRestaurants IT RaidDelhi Uttam Nagar murderGold Price TodayLPG cooking gas
NEW DELHI: With the Bahrain airport not seeing any commercial flights since Feb 28, the Indian embassy there has made arrangements for stranded compatriots to return home via Saudi Arabia.“The embassy in Riyadh is obtaining individual transit visa approvals from Saudi govt. Transit visa requests are being referred by Indian embassy in Bahrain to Indian embassy in Riyadh. Priority is being given to stranded Indian nationals, especially those on tourist or short-term visas,” Vinod K Jacob, Indian ambassador to Bahrain, said.As returning via Saudi is the only viable option for Indians stranded in Bahrain as of now, those applying for Saudi transit visa must fulfil certain pre-conditions, like having a confirmed flight ticket for onward travel to India. Saudi transit visa will be valid for 72-96 hours and travellers need to leave the country within this period.Neighbouring Qatar, on the other hand, has started seeing a handful of flights, including to India, by Qatar Airways. But since they are fewer than required, exiting via Saudi remains Plan B for them and there’s a scramble to get the country’s transit visa.The Indian embassy in Doha said: “Qatar Airways operated a Doha-Delhi flight Monday on which more than 300 Indian passengers stranded in Doha travelled to India… close to 1,000 Indians stranded in Doha on transit or short-term visits have departed on Qatar Airways flights over the last three days.”Indian govt is keen to have more flights to West Asia. Civil aviation ministry will hold a meeting with airlines and other stakeholders on this issue on Tuesday.
