Houthi Strikes Hit Saudi: Indian Expats Caught in Crossfire
Recent Houthi missile and drone strikes targeting sovereign Saudi Arabian territory have left Indian nationals injured, prompting a stern condemnation from New Delhi. The attacks, which struck several key cities, have heightened fears regarding regional stability and the safety of the massive Indian workforce residing in the Kingdom.
Chaos in Southern Saudi Cities
The wave of strikes specifically targeted the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, Taif, and Jazan. These attacks on civilian populations and vital economic assets were met with immediate backlash from India's Ministry of External Affairs. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the escalation as "totally unacceptable," expressing deep concern over the volatile situation in the Red Sea.
Beyond the immediate physical danger, there is significant international alarm regarding the threat these strikes pose to the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for global freedom of navigation.
Protecting the Massive Indian Diaspora
The security implications are particularly heavy for the Indian community. As of March 2026, approximately 27.48 lakh Indian nationals are living and working in Saudi Arabia. A significant portion of this population is employed in essential sectors, including:
- Construction
- Energy
- Logistics
While official casualty figures have not been fully released, Indian diplomatic missions have confirmed that Indian citizens were among those wounded in the recent strikes. In a direct effort to provide support, Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri visited Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah on 14 September to meet with Indian patients injured during the incidents in Jazan, pledging full consular assistance.
The Crisis of Indramani Nautiyal
Amidst the regional conflict, a distressing individual case has brought renewed attention to the vulnerabilities of migrant workers. Indramani Nautiyal, a truck driver from Uttarakhand who has been working in Saudi Arabia since 2018, is reportedly being held in a hostage-like situation.
The situation stems from his employer's failure to pay a massive Rs 2.29 crore fine related to a previous traffic accident. The gravity of the situation has prompted Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to formally reach out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to seek intervention.
High-Level Diplomatic Intervention
The Indian government is utilizing multiple diplomatic channels to address both the security threats and individual worker grievances:
- Bilateral Talks: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit to discuss regional concerns.
- On-Ground Monitoring: Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh recently conducted a visit to an Indian labour camp within the Kingdom to assess living conditions and security.
Families of expatriates requiring urgent assistance or information are advised to contact the Indian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah or utilize the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra helplines.