New Delhi: Congress leader Pawan Khera has stirred controversy by claiming that the recent temporary visa suspension by Saudi Arabia for 14 countries, including India, is yet another sign of the “collapse of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
However, this assertion has been flagged as false by the official Fact Check account of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The Claim
Pawan Khera suggested that India’s inclusion in the list of countries facing a temporary halt in visa issuance by Saudi Arabia reflects poorly on the Modi government’s diplomatic performance.
“Saudi Arabia suspending visas for 14 countries, including India, is just the latest blow in a steady collapse of India’s foreign policy under Modi,” Khera said.
https://twitter.com/Pawankhera/status/1931925142210322631
The Reality:
According to a clarification issued by the MEA’s FactCheck handle, the claim is false. The ministry stated:
“The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter. As a matter of practice, during the Hajj season, there are temporary restrictions on short-term visas to avoid overcrowding during this season, which end with the conclusion of Hajj.”
CLAIM: Saudi Arabia temporarily suspends issuance of block work visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India.
This CLAIM is FALSE.
FACT: The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter. As a matter of practice, during the Hajj season, there are… pic.twitter.com/8dkJddhj3y
— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) June 9, 2025
This is a logistical move, not a diplomatic one. It is standard protocol for Saudi authorities to regulate the flow of non-Hajj travellers during the pilgrimage season to ensure safety and efficient crowd management.
The visa suspension is a temporary and routine measure taken by Saudi Arabia during Hajj. There is no evidence to suggest it is a political statement against India. The MEA has categorically denied any targeted suspension, affirming that the situation is logistical in nature and not indicative of a strained bilateral relationship.
