Eid al-Adha, also called Bakrid, is one of the most special festivals in Islam. It reminds Muslims of the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who showed his deep faith in God, who asked him to sacrifice his son as a test. Ibrahim agreed, but just before the sacrifice, God sent a ram to take the place of his son. This showed that faith and obedience are what truly matter.&nbsp;Muslims celebrate this day by praying together in large groups early in the morning. After the prayer, people perform animal sacrifice, usually of a goat or sheep. The meat is divided into three parts: one part for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for those in need.&nbsp;Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/eid-al-adha-2025-moon-sighting-timings-in-india-uk-us-and-uae-all-you-need-to-know-1749209497523"> Eid al-Adha 2025 | Moon sighting timings in India, UK, US, and UAE. All you need to know</a>&nbsp;Eid al-Adha is also a time for visiting relatives, wearing new clothes, giving charity, and preparing delicious meals. In Saudi Arabia, this festival is even more special because it happens during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.&nbsp;Here’s a look at the moon sighting timings in Saudi Arabia&nbsp;June 6: Moonrise at 4:24 AM, Moonset at 6:28 PMJune 7: Moonrise at 5:05 PM, Moonset at 9:44 AM (June 8)&nbsp;In Saudi Arabia, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2025. This date is based on the official moon sighting in the country. Saudi Arabia usually announces the Eid date after confirming the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon, which marks the last month of the Islamic calendar.&nbsp;The festival considers with Hajj and many people from around the world visit Mecca during this time.&nbsp; &nbsp;It’s a national holiday, and most offices, schools, and businesses are closed. People travel, gather with family, and celebrate this important day with faith and happiness.

In Saudi Arabia, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2025. 

Eid al-Adha, also called Bakrid, is one of the most special festivals in Islam. It reminds Muslims of the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who showed his deep faith in God, who asked him to sacrifice his son as a test. Ibrahim agreed, but just before the sacrifice, God sent a ram to take the place of his son. This showed that faith and obedience are what truly matter. Muslims celebrate this day by praying together in large groups early in the morning. After the prayer, people perform animal sacrifice, usually of a goat or sheep. The meat is divided into three parts: one part for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for those in need. Also Read | Eid al-Adha 2025 | Moon sighting timings in India, UK, US, and UAE. All you need to know Eid al-Adha is also a time for visiting relatives, wearing new clothes, giving charity, and preparing delicious meals. In Saudi Arabia, this festival is even more special because it happens during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Here’s a look at the moon sighting timings in Saudi Arabia June 6: Moonrise at 4:24 AM, Moonset at 6:28 PM June 7: Moonrise at 5:05 PM, Moonset at 9:44 AM (June 8) In Saudi Arabia, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2025. This date is based on the official moon sighting in the country. Saudi Arabia usually announces the Eid date after confirming the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon, which marks the last month of the Islamic calendar. The festival considers with Hajj and many people from around the world visit Mecca during this time. It’s a national holiday, and most offices, schools, and businesses are closed. People travel, gather with family, and celebrate this important day with faith and happiness.

In Saudi Arabia, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2025.&nbsp;

Eid al-Adha 2025: Know the significance and date in Saudi Arabia

&nbsp;Saudi Arabia has halted nearly 2,70,000 people from entering Mecca ahead of this year's Hajj pilgrimage. There are a couple of reasons behind this move made by the authorities.Saudi Arabia authorities said that it is done in an effort to manage overcrowding and rule out safety risks at the site of pilgrimage.Around 1.4 million officially registered pilgrims arrived in Mecca by Sunday, with more entries expected in the coming days.<h2>Why did this happen?</h2>According to an Associated Press report, Saudi authorities took this action as part of a crackdown on unauthorized access.The officials said that the effort is part of a broader initiative to reduce overcrowding and mitigate safety risks during the holy pilgrimage.Saudi Arabia's government blamed the unauthorised participants for last year's heat-related fatalities.Penalty for unauthorised entrySaudi officials will be taking strict actions to deter unauthorised participation, including fines up to $5000, deportation and other penalties.Notably, this rule applies to everyone, including Saudi citizens and residents.Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari, during a press conference in Mecca, detailed the scale of crackdown efforts, saying, "The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.” &nbsp;Till date, more than 23,000 residents have already been filed for breaking Hajj regulations, and their licenses have been revoked eventually from 400 Hajj service companies.Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia announced that pilgrims would not be allowed to take their children to the Hajj in 2025. The move was aimed at safeguarding children from risks associated with intense overcrowding that occurs every year."This measure is taken to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to avoid exposing them to any harm during the pilgrimage," the ministry stated.Moreover, to enhance pilgrim safety, the ministry has implemented a range of measures, which include launching safety awareness campaigns, introducing modern intelligent systems to streamline pilgrim movement in sacred areas, and upgrading infrastructure through the modernisation of tent camps and pedestrian paths. &nbsp;

Saudi Arabia authorities said that it is done in an effort to manage overcrowding and rule out safety risks at the site of pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia has halted nearly 2,70,000 people from entering Mecca ahead of this year's Hajj pilgrimage. There are a couple of reasons behind this move made by the authorities. Saudi Arabia authorities said that it is done in an effort to manage overcrowding and rule out safety risks at the site of pilgrimage. Around 1.4 million officially registered pilgrims arrived in Mecca by Sunday, with more entries expected in the coming days. Why did this happen? According to an Associated Press report, Saudi authorities took this action as part of a crackdown on unauthorized access. The officials said that the effort is part of a broader initiative to reduce overcrowding and mitigate safety risks during the holy pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia's government blamed the unauthorised participants for last year's heat-related fatalities. Penalty for unauthorised entry Saudi officials will be taking strict actions to deter unauthorised participation, including fines up to $5000, deportation and other penalties. Notably, this rule applies to everyone, including Saudi citizens and residents. Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari, during a press conference in Mecca, detailed the scale of crackdown efforts, saying, "The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.” Till date, more than 23,000 residents have already been filed for breaking Hajj regulations, and their licenses have been revoked eventually from 400 Hajj service companies. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia announced that pilgrims would not be allowed to take their children to the Hajj in 2025. The move was aimed at safeguarding children from risks associated with intense overcrowding that occurs every year. "This measure is taken to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to avoid exposing them to any harm during the pilgrimage," the ministry stated. Moreover, to enhance pilgrim safety, the ministry has implemented a range of measures, which include launching safety awareness campaigns, introducing modern intelligent systems to streamline pilgrim movement in sacred areas, and upgrading infrastructure through the modernisation of tent camps and pedestrian paths.

Saudi Arabia authorities said that it is done in an effort to manage overcrowding and rule out safety risks at the site of pilgrimage.

$5000 penalty, deportation and more: Saudi Arabia blocks nearly 2.7 lakh Muslims from entering Mecca for Hajj - Here's why

US President Donald Trump is on his way back to Washington DC after his&nbsp;three-nation&nbsp;Middle East tour. Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and sealed several investment deals in what is being seen as a new era for the US-Middle East relationship. From meeting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh to visiting a mosque in Abu Dhabi to getting involved in the controversy of "gift diplomacy," Trump's Middle East trip showed his newfound affection for the region vis-a-vis business prospects as well as his aim to expand Abraham Accords and take credit similar to the one in his first term.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-meets-ahmed-al-sharaa-becomes-first-us-president-to-meet-syrian-leader-in-25-years-see-pics-9067927">Donald Trump meets Ahmed al-Sharaa, becomes first US president to meet Syrian leader in 25 years: See pics</a>
<h2>Top 6 points from his trip&nbsp;</h2>
1. Geopolitical shift for Syria: In what may be called a major geopolitical shift and an unexpected moment in the contemporary history of Syria, US President Donald Trump met Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Saudi capital Riyadh, shook hands with him and said, "young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter. He&rsquo;s got a real shot at pulling it together." The US president also announced the lifting of Assad-era sanctions on Syria and urged al-Sharaa to recognise Israel, intending to expand his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-donald-trumps-middle-east-man-jared-kushner-working-behind-the-scenes-for-expansion-of-abraham-accords-9058520" rel="dofollow">Abraham Accords.</a>
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/starlink-tesla-optimus-and-more-why-was-elon-musk-in-saudi-arabia-during-trumps-west-asia-visit-9067875">Starlink, Tesla robots and more: Here's why Elon Musk accompanied Trump in his Saudi Arabia visit</a>
2. Big deals announced: Qatar Airways signed a massive deal with US-based Boeing to purchase 160 jets, worth $200 billion. He announced defence deals in Riyadh and said that the total investments from the three nations he visited could reach as high as $4 trillion. Qatar and the US agreed on a $1.2 trillion &ldquo;economic exchange&rdquo;; Saudi promised to invest $600 billion, and major projects were signed with the United Arab Emirates, after Abu Dhabi in March committed to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework in the US. 
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-al-qaeda-terrorist-to-trumps-tough-attractive-guy-story-of-syrian-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-9073460">From al-Qaeda terrorist to Trump's 'tough attractive guy': Story of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa</a>
3. Iran Nuclear Deal: Trump made sure to bring up the topic of nuclear negotiations with Iran on several occasions as he toured through the Middle East. While he slammed Iran by calling it the "biggest and most destructive force", he also said, "I have a feeling it&rsquo;s going to work out." Trump also praised Qatar and said that Iran is "very lucky" to have such an ally.
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-afghanistan-bagram-air-base-canada-list-of-places-us-president-wants-to-take-over-9075480">Trump's obsession now reaches Afghanistan's Bagram Air Base: List of places US president wants to take over</a>
4. Russia-Ukraine talks: As Trump toured the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine planned for talks in Turkey. Suspense over Russian president Vladimir Putin's presence in Istanbul continued till the last moment and his no-show became the biggest headline. Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also cancelled his visit and talks were held between delegations of the two countries. Amid these developments, a confident Trump said, "And he wasn&rsquo;t gonna go &hellip; He wasn&rsquo;t going if I wasn&rsquo;t there. And I don&rsquo;t believe anything will happen, whether you like it or not until he and I get together. But we are gonna have to get it solved because too many people are dying."
5. Suffering in Gaza: Trump did not meet his biggest regional ally, Israel during this tour. In a rare acknowledgement of the sufferings in Gaza, Trump said, "There&rsquo;s a lot of people starving, a lot of bad things going on."
6. Grand welcome and bonhomie: From Riyadh to Abu Dhabi, Trump received a grand welcome and his bonhomie with the Gulf leaders was picture-perfect. In Riyadh, royal-purple-carpet was rolled out for the US president, and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman broke royal protocol by personally greeting the president on the tarmac. In Abu Dhabi, he received a traditional Emirati welcome including a hair-flip&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-donald-trump-welcomed-in-uae-abu-dhabi-with-traditional-hair-flip-al-ayyala-dance-middle-east-trip-9072331" rel="dofollow">Al-Ayyala</a> dance and visited the Abrahamic Family House and mosque calling it all an "incredible culture." In Doha, Trump&rsquo;s motorcade from the airport was flanked by bright red Tesla,&nbsp;cybertrucks and riders on horseback.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

From stepping into a mosque to meeting Syria's president who had his past in al-Qaeda, from business deals to Abraham Accords, here are the top highlights of US President Donald Trump's Middle East tour. World

US President Donald Trump is on his way back to Washington DC after his three-nation Middle East tour. Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and sealed several investment deals in what is being seen as a new era for the US-Middle East relationship. From meeting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh to visiting a mosque in Abu Dhabi to getting involved in the controversy of "gift diplomacy," Trump's Middle East trip showed his newfound affection for the region vis-a-vis business prospects as well as his aim to expand Abraham Accords and take credit similar to the one in his first term. Donald Trump meets Ahmed al-Sharaa, becomes first US president to meet Syrian leader in 25 years: See pics Top 6 points from his trip 1. Geopolitical shift for Syria: In what may be called a major geopolitical shift and an unexpected moment in the contemporary history of Syria, US President Donald Trump met Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Saudi capital Riyadh, shook hands with him and said, "young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter. He’s got a real shot at pulling it together." The US president also announced the lifting of Assad-era sanctions on Syria and urged al-Sharaa to recognise Israel, intending to expand his Abraham Accords. Read More | Starlink, Tesla robots and more: Here's why Elon Musk accompanied Trump in his Saudi Arabia visit 2. Big deals announced: Qatar Airways signed a massive deal with US-based Boeing to purchase 160 jets, worth $200 billion. He announced defence deals in Riyadh and said that the total investments from the three nations he visited could reach as high as $4 trillion. Qatar and the US agreed on a $1.2 trillion “economic exchange”; Saudi promised to invest $600 billion, and major projects were signed with the United Arab Emirates, after Abu Dhabi in March committed to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework in the US. Read More | From al-Qaeda terrorist to Trump's 'tough attractive guy': Story of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa 3. Iran Nuclear Deal: Trump made sure to bring up the topic of nuclear negotiations with Iran on several occasions as he toured through the Middle East. While he slammed Iran by calling it the "biggest and most destructive force", he also said, "I have a feeling it’s going to work out." Trump also praised Qatar and said that Iran is "very lucky" to have such an ally. Read More | Trump's obsession now reaches Afghanistan's Bagram Air Base: List of places US president wants to take over 4. Russia-Ukraine talks: As Trump toured the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine planned for talks in Turkey. Suspense over Russian president Vladimir Putin's presence in Istanbul continued till the last moment and his no-show became the biggest headline. Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also cancelled his visit and talks were held between delegations of the two countries. Amid these developments, a confident Trump said, "And he wasn’t gonna go … He wasn’t going if I wasn’t there. And I don’t believe anything will happen, whether you like it or not until he and I get together. But we are gonna have to get it solved because too many people are dying." 5. Suffering in Gaza: Trump did not meet his biggest regional ally, Israel during this tour. In a rare acknowledgement of the sufferings in Gaza, Trump said, "There’s a lot of people starving, a lot of bad things going on." 6. Grand welcome and bonhomie: From Riyadh to Abu Dhabi, Trump received a grand welcome and his bonhomie with the Gulf leaders was picture-perfect. In Riyadh, royal-purple-carpet was rolled out for the US president, and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman broke royal protocol by personally greeting the president on the tarmac. In Abu Dhabi, he received a traditional Emirati welcome including a hair-flip Al-Ayyala dance and visited the Abrahamic Family House and mosque calling it all an "incredible culture." In Doha, Trump’s motorcade from the airport was flanked by bright red Tesla, cybertrucks and riders on horseback.

Can Trump's Middle East tour be geopolitical shift for US? Top 6 takeaways from US president's major trip

World, Photos | US President Donald Trump is on his way back to Washington DC, after finishing a trip to the Middle East with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates

Mosque visit, soccer ball and new friendships: Trump wraps up Middle East trip | See pics

Golden swords, Arabian horses, and royal palaces—Gulf nations have left no stone unturned to welcome US President Donald Trump. These are the key highlights of the visit.

Key Highlights Of Trump's West Asia Tour

The white house hailed Trump's deals with Qatar worth over 243.5 billion dollars.

The white house added the latest deals set the stage for a larger 1.2 trillion dollar economic commitment with the gulf state.

Boeing Lands Its Biggest-ever Aircraft Order

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-meets-ahmed-al-sharaa-becomes-first-us-president-to-meet-syrian-leader-in-25-years-see-pics-9067927" rel="dofollow">Donald Trump</a>&rsquo;s adviser and tech billionaire Elon Musk joined him for a VIP lunch in Saudi Arabia hosted by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS). Soon after, in an event in Riyadh, Musk announced that Saudi Arabia would authorize the use of SpaceX's Starlink service for aviation and maritime shipping.
Apart from Musk, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, Larry Fink of BlackRock and Jane Fraser of Citigroup, Andy Jassy, the chief executive of Amazon, Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia were also present at the VIP lunch.
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-warns-iran-against-rejecting-nuclear-deal-will-impose-maximum-pressure-policy-if-rejected-9067039">Trump warns Iran against rejecting nuclear deal, will impose 'maximum pressure' policy if rejected</a>
<h2>Musk's Starlink in Saudi</h2>
"I&rsquo;d also like to thank the Kingdom for approving Starlink for maritime and aviation use," Musk said during the Saudi-US Investment Forum, which coincided with a White House-led visit to the Kingdom.
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-meets-ahmed-al-sharaa-becomes-first-us-president-to-meet-syrian-leader-in-25-years-see-pics-9067927">Donald Trump meets Ahmed al-Sharaa, becomes first US president to meet Syrian leader in 25 years: See pics</a>
Musk also revealed that he showed Tesla Optimus robots to Trump and MBS.&nbsp;"I think they were very impressed," he noted.
Addressing a panel at Saudi-US Investment Forum 2025, Musk said,&nbsp;"It would be very exciting to have autonomous vehicles here in the kingdom."&nbsp;His remarks came before speeches by Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-in-saudi-arabia-meets-crown-prince-mbs-elon-musk-joins-in-for-vip-lunch-9064561">Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, meets Crown Prince MBS; Elon Musk joins in for VIP lunch: See pics here</a>
<h2>Trump secures $ 1 trillion Saudi investment pledge</h2>
On Day 1 of Trump's West Asia visit, he announced a haul of over $1 trillion in investments with Saudi Arabia. He also signed a defence deal worth $142 billion.
"With this trip, we&rsquo;re adding over $1 trillion more in terms of investment into our country and buying our products," Trump told the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh.&nbsp;As he arrived in Riyadh, Crown Prince MBS welcomed him at the King Khalid International Airport.

World | US President Donald Trump’s adviser and tech billionaire Elon Musk joined him for a VIP lunch in Saudi Arabia hosted by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS)

US President Donald Trump’s adviser and tech billionaire Elon Musk joined him for a VIP lunch in Saudi Arabia hosted by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS). Soon after, in an event in Riyadh, Musk announced that Saudi Arabia would authorize the use of SpaceX's Starlink service for aviation and maritime shipping. Apart from Musk, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, Larry Fink of BlackRock and Jane Fraser of Citigroup, Andy Jassy, the chief executive of Amazon, Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia were also present at the VIP lunch. Read More | Trump warns Iran against rejecting nuclear deal, will impose 'maximum pressure' policy if rejected Musk's Starlink in Saudi "I’d also like to thank the Kingdom for approving Starlink for maritime and aviation use," Musk said during the Saudi-US Investment Forum, which coincided with a White House-led visit to the Kingdom. WATCH | Donald Trump meets Ahmed al-Sharaa, becomes first US president to meet Syrian leader in 25 years: See pics Musk also revealed that he showed Tesla Optimus robots to Trump and MBS. "I think they were very impressed," he noted. Addressing a panel at Saudi-US Investment Forum 2025, Musk said, "It would be very exciting to have autonomous vehicles here in the kingdom." His remarks came before speeches by Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Read More | Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, meets Crown Prince MBS; Elon Musk joins in for VIP lunch: See pics here Trump secures $ 1 trillion Saudi investment pledge On Day 1 of Trump's West Asia visit, he announced a haul of over $1 trillion in investments with Saudi Arabia. He also signed a defence deal worth $142 billion. "With this trip, we’re adding over $1 trillion more in terms of investment into our country and buying our products," Trump told the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh. As he arrived in Riyadh, Crown Prince MBS welcomed him at the King Khalid International Airport.

Starlink, Tesla robots and more: Here's why Elon Musk accompanied Trump in his Saudi Arabia visit

World | Donald Trump became the first US president in 25 years to meet a Syrian leader as he held a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa - the interim president of Syria

Donald Trump meets Ahmed al-Sharaa, becomes first US president to meet Syrian leader in 25 years: See pics

As US President Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;embarked his visit to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf country arranged a mobile McDonald's unit as a "sign of hospitality" to the US president.&nbsp;
The mobile McDonald's was stationed near the Saudi Royal Court and was part of the elaborate welcome Trump received in Riyadh.&nbsp;
Some users on social media called it an "ultimate sign of hospitality.&rdquo; The mobile unit was labelled in both Arabic and English and drew widespread attention on social media.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-most-destructive-force-in-middle-east-trump-bashes-iran-for-causing-unthinkable-suffering-9065701">'Iran MOST DESTRUCTIVE force in Middle East': Trump bashes Iran for causing unthinkable suffering</a>&nbsp;
It mobile McDonald caught attention for catering to Trump's love for McD and specifically fast food.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-mamtf904-pjhw8vmt-2dxzw5xf">
Saudi Arabia brought in a mobile McDonald&rsquo;s for President Trump on his visit. <a href="https://t.co/6fxgqKHbjP">pic.twitter.com/6fxgqKHbjP</a>
&mdash; Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1922255203455152454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
The journalists covering Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia spotted the remote fast food unit.&nbsp;
Moreover, Trump has referred to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman as his friend as the two nations have maintained strong and good ties for decades.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-in-saudi-arabia-meets-crown-prince-mbs-elon-musk-joins-in-for-vip-lunch-9064561">Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, meets Crown Prince MBS; Elon Musk joins in for VIP lunch: See pics here</a>
To further impress the US president, Saudi Arabia pulled out the move, by setting a McDonald's remote truck, knowing about Trump's love for McD.&nbsp;
The food truck was parked outside a media hub called "Media Oasis" where journalists hosted Trump amid a video showcasing Saudi mega-projects like the futuristic NEOM city and the upcoming 2034 FIFA World Cup, Newsweek reported.&nbsp;
One of the users on X, commented, "I'm loving it." While another commented, "This is cool...One of the most significant things to emphasize Trumps welcome was the purple carpet rolled out for POTUS. It signifies royalty in Saudi Arabia. That is a true sign of respect."
Another user posted, "Forget red carpets, it&rsquo;s McFlurries for foreign policy now."&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-gets-f-15-escort-lavender-carpet-welcome-to-saudi-arabia-9064913">Trump gets &lsquo;lavender&rsquo; carpet welcome to Saudi Arabia after F-15 escort</a>

The mobile McDonald's was stationed near the Saudi Royal Court and was part of the elaborate welcome US President Donald Trump received in Riyadh. World

As US President Donald Trump embarked his visit to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf country arranged a mobile McDonald's unit as a "sign of hospitality" to the US president. The mobile McDonald's was stationed near the Saudi Royal Court and was part of the elaborate welcome Trump received in Riyadh. Some users on social media called it an "ultimate sign of hospitality.” The mobile unit was labelled in both Arabic and English and drew widespread attention on social media. Also read: 'Iran MOST DESTRUCTIVE force in Middle East': Trump bashes Iran for causing unthinkable suffering It mobile McDonald caught attention for catering to Trump's love for McD and specifically fast food. Saudi Arabia brought in a mobile McDonald’s for President Trump on his visit. pic.twitter.com/6fxgqKHbjP — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 13, 2025 The journalists covering Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia spotted the remote fast food unit. Moreover, Trump has referred to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman as his friend as the two nations have maintained strong and good ties for decades. Also read: Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, meets Crown Prince MBS; Elon Musk joins in for VIP lunch: See pics here To further impress the US president, Saudi Arabia pulled out the move, by setting a McDonald's remote truck, knowing about Trump's love for McD. The food truck was parked outside a media hub called "Media Oasis" where journalists hosted Trump amid a video showcasing Saudi mega-projects like the futuristic NEOM city and the upcoming 2034 FIFA World Cup, Newsweek reported. One of the users on X, commented, "I'm loving it." While another commented, "This is cool...One of the most significant things to emphasize Trumps welcome was the purple carpet rolled out for POTUS. It signifies royalty in Saudi Arabia. That is a true sign of respect." Another user posted, "Forget red carpets, it’s McFlurries for foreign policy now." Also read: Trump gets ‘lavender’ carpet welcome to Saudi Arabia after F-15 escort

Happy meal, happy Trump: Saudi Arabia rolls out mobile McDonald's for Trump's McCravings | WATCH

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday (May 13) that the United States will remove all sanctions on Syria at the behest of Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s crown prince as the new interim Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, seeks to bring stability in the war-torn country.
&ldquo;I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,&rdquo; Trump said while addressing the packed auditorium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking his first appearance during the four-day visit to the Middle East. The US president covered a range of topics in his speech, including his time in office and US-Middle East relations.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-syrias-interim-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-shows-off-basketball-skills-in-viral-video-9041381">WATCH | Syria&rsquo;s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa shows off basketball skills in viral video</a>
&ldquo;In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilising the country and keeping peace. That&rsquo;s what we want to see,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;In Syria, they&rsquo;ve had their share of travesty, war, killing many years. That&rsquo;s why my administration has already taken the first steps toward restoring normal relations between the United States and Syria for the first time in more than a decade.&rdquo;
Read more | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-holds-good-and-productive-phone-call-with-turkish-president-discuss-russia-ukraine-war-gaza-syria-9038408">Trump holds &lsquo;good and productive&rsquo; phone call with Turkish President, discuss Russia-Ukraine war, Gaza, Syria</a>
<h2>&lsquo;Brutal and crippling&rsquo; sanctions</h2>
Trump said that sanctions on Syrial were &ldquo;brutal and crippling,&rdquo; adding that they no longer served an important function.
&ldquo;Now, it&rsquo;s their time to shine,&rdquo; Trump said of Syria. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re taking them all off.&rdquo;
&ldquo;So I say, Good luck Syria. Show us something very special, like they&rsquo;ve done, frankly, in Saudi Arabia.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-most-destructive-force-in-middle-east-trump-bashes-iran-for-causing-unthinkable-suffering-9065701">'Iran MOST DESTRUCTIVE force in Middle East': Trump bashes Iran for causing unthinkable suffering</a>
<h2>From Assad regime to Ahmed al-Sharaa&rsquo;s rule</h2>
The Middle Eastern nation has been designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the US since 1979. Syria was faced with additional sanctions by the US in 2004 and again in 2011, after the then-President Bashar al-Assad launched a crackdown on anti-government uprisings.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-says-trumps-presence-at-peace-talks-would-prompt-putin-to-attend-9065417">Zelensky says Trump&rsquo;s presence at peace talks would prompt Putin to attend</a>
The Assad rule was overthrown by rebel forces led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December 2024 after more than 13 years of civil war, sectarian violence and deadly terrorist attacks. Following this, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda member who describes himself as reformed, was made the leader of the country&rsquo;s transitional government.

Trump said that sanctions on Syrial were “brutal and crippling,” adding that they no longer served an important function. “Now, it’s their time to shine,” Trump said of Syria. “We’re taking them all off.” World

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday (May 13) that the United States will remove all sanctions on Syria at the behest of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince as the new interim Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, seeks to bring stability in the war-torn country. “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,” Trump said while addressing the packed auditorium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking his first appearance during the four-day visit to the Middle East. The US president covered a range of topics in his speech, including his time in office and US-Middle East relations. Also read | WATCH | Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa shows off basketball skills in viral video “In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilising the country and keeping peace. That’s what we want to see,” he said. “In Syria, they’ve had their share of travesty, war, killing many years. That’s why my administration has already taken the first steps toward restoring normal relations between the United States and Syria for the first time in more than a decade.” Read more | Trump holds ‘good and productive’ phone call with Turkish President, discuss Russia-Ukraine war, Gaza, Syria ‘Brutal and crippling’ sanctions Trump said that sanctions on Syrial were “brutal and crippling,” adding that they no longer served an important function. “Now, it’s their time to shine,” Trump said of Syria. “We’re taking them all off.” “So I say, Good luck Syria. Show us something very special, like they’ve done, frankly, in Saudi Arabia.” Also read | 'Iran MOST DESTRUCTIVE force in Middle East': Trump bashes Iran for causing unthinkable suffering From Assad regime to Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule The Middle Eastern nation has been designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the US since 1979. Syria was faced with additional sanctions by the US in 2004 and again in 2011, after the then-President Bashar al-Assad launched a crackdown on anti-government uprisings. Also read | Zelensky says Trump’s presence at peace talks would prompt Putin to attend The Assad rule was overthrown by rebel forces led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December 2024 after more than 13 years of civil war, sectarian violence and deadly terrorist attacks. Following this, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda member who describes himself as reformed, was made the leader of the country’s transitional government.

‘Now, it’s their time to shine’: Trump announces all US sanctions on Syria to be lifted

US President Donald Trump landed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for his first official overseas trip of his second term and was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Saudi Crown Prince accorded a warm welcome to President Trump by rolling out the lavender carpet for him as Air Force One touched down. In another gesture, Air Force One was escorted by five Saudi F-15 fighter jets before the touchdown.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-mamhwzjf-337ycijo-kzyzromb">
President Trump arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 🇺🇸🇸🇦 <a href="https://t.co/4XeT1XXgT2">pic.twitter.com/4XeT1XXgT2</a>
&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1922202481129381897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
The red carpet, used earlier, represented suggested glamour, royalty, and power, but in 2021, Saudi Arabia announced dropping red for dignitary visits and choosing purple carpets instead at official state receptions and occasions. Red and purple colours have long been associated with royalty because the dyes for these vibrant colours were the most expensive and therefore they were used to express admiration for visiting dignitaries.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-compares-agility-of-indias-modern-weapons-to-maharana-prataps-legendary-horse-chetak-9064665">PM Modi compares agility of India&rsquo;s modern weapons to Maharana Pratap&rsquo;s legendary horse Chetak</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-compares-agility-of-indias-modern-weapons-to-maharana-prataps-legendary-horse-chetak-9064665">&nbsp;</a>
&ldquo;The lavender carpets are identical to the colour of the Kingdom&rsquo;s deserts and plateaus in the spring when they are decorated with the colour of lavender flowers and other plants such as desert germander and basil, which together form a natural violet,&rdquo; according to the Saudi Press Agency.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-mamhy6bz-wuqawhkt-9p9mo5cg">
من وحي تراثنا الطبيعي، تطبع زهرة الخزامى لونها الأخّاذ على سجاد مراسم الاستقبال.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A9?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#وزارة_الثقافة</a> <a href="https://t.co/BKjziQfcyT">pic.twitter.com/BKjziQfcyT</a>
&mdash; وزارة الثقافة (@MOCSaudi) <a href="https://twitter.com/MOCSaudi/status/1389985690411208707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
The lavender ceremonial carpets also include a prominent Saudi cultural element, the traditional art of Sadu weaving on the edges of the new carpets. In December 2020, UNESCO inscribed the traditional weaving of Sadu on the Intangible Heritage list.
After the welcome, the Crown Prince and President Trump exchanged warm greetings during a brief reception at the airport&rsquo;s royal lounge, where they shared traditional Saudi coffee.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/world-saw-the-true-face-of-pak-when-its-army-officials-attended-funerals-of-terrorists-pm-modi-9064451" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;World saw the true face of Pak when its army officials attended funerals of terrorists&rsquo;: PM Modi</a>
President Trump, who is also set to visit the UAE and Qatar during his regional tour, called the trip &ldquo;historic&rdquo; in a press conference at the White House prior to his departure.
Trump is accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-we-demolished-global-universities-of-terrorism-at-bahawalpur-muridke-pm-modi-9061746" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Operation Sindoor | &lsquo;We demolished global universities of terrorism at Bahawalpur, Muridke&rsquo;: PM Modi</a>
Trump will spend Tuesday and Wednesday morning in Saudi Arabia before jetting off to Doha, Qatar, and then Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Trump will aim to announce economic deals during the visit, but the long-term goal is to have Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords, one of the biggest foreign policy achievements of his previous administration.&nbsp; The Abraham Accords normalised relations between Israel and the UAE, and Israel and Bahrain.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

World: Trump will aim to announce economic deals during the visit, but the long-term goal is to have Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords, one of the biggest foreign policy achievements of his previous administration.

US President Donald Trump landed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for his first official overseas trip of his second term and was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi Crown Prince accorded a warm welcome to President Trump by rolling out the lavender carpet for him as Air Force One touched down. In another gesture, Air Force One was escorted by five Saudi F-15 fighter jets before the touchdown. President Trump arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 🇺🇸🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/4XeT1XXgT2 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 13, 2025 The red carpet, used earlier, represented suggested glamour, royalty, and power, but in 2021, Saudi Arabia announced dropping red for dignitary visits and choosing purple carpets instead at official state receptions and occasions. Red and purple colours have long been associated with royalty because the dyes for these vibrant colours were the most expensive and therefore they were used to express admiration for visiting dignitaries. Also Read | PM Modi compares agility of India’s modern weapons to Maharana Pratap’s legendary horse Chetak “The lavender carpets are identical to the colour of the Kingdom’s deserts and plateaus in the spring when they are decorated with the colour of lavender flowers and other plants such as desert germander and basil, which together form a natural violet,” according to the Saudi Press Agency. من وحي تراثنا الطبيعي، تطبع زهرة الخزامى لونها الأخّاذ على سجاد مراسم الاستقبال.#وزارة_الثقافة pic.twitter.com/BKjziQfcyT — وزارة الثقافة (@MOCSaudi) May 5, 2021 The lavender ceremonial carpets also include a prominent Saudi cultural element, the traditional art of Sadu weaving on the edges of the new carpets. In December 2020, UNESCO inscribed the traditional weaving of Sadu on the Intangible Heritage list. After the welcome, the Crown Prince and President Trump exchanged warm greetings during a brief reception at the airport’s royal lounge, where they shared traditional Saudi coffee. Also Read | ‘World saw the true face of Pak when its army officials attended funerals of terrorists’: PM Modi President Trump, who is also set to visit the UAE and Qatar during his regional tour, called the trip “historic” in a press conference at the White House prior to his departure. Trump is accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Also Read | Operation Sindoor | ‘We demolished global universities of terrorism at Bahawalpur, Muridke’: PM Modi Trump will spend Tuesday and Wednesday morning in Saudi Arabia before jetting off to Doha, Qatar, and then Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Trump will aim to announce economic deals during the visit, but the long-term goal is to have Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords, one of the biggest foreign policy achievements of his previous administration. The Abraham Accords normalised relations between Israel and the UAE, and Israel and Bahrain.

Trump gets ‘lavender’ carpet welcome to Saudi Arabia after F-15 escort

World | US President Donald Trump is joined by Elon Musk and other VIPs in Saudi Arabia during the first major trip of his second term: See pics here

Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, meets Crown Prince MBS; Elon Musk joins in for VIP lunch: See pics here

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-embarks-on-middle-east-tour-with-focus-on-business-regional-tensions-9057057" rel="dofollow">Donald Trump</a> has arrived in Saudi Arabia, in what will be the first stop of a three-day tour that will also see him visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS greeted him on his arrival.
<figure class="image"><img alt="Cover (87)" src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/13/2I0plMnOD1EipAExO0Kh.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Photograph: (AFP)</figcaption>
</figure>
&ldquo;The era of peace will return, and the commander-in-chief of the US armed forces will be in Washington to help safeguard the Gulf&rsquo;s security and stand by its people &ndash; because he knows them well and believes in the importance of their friendship,&rdquo; said Eric Trump while speaking to&nbsp;Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-donald-trumps-middle-east-man-jared-kushner-working-behind-the-scenes-for-expansion-of-abraham-accords-9058520">Is Donald Trump's 'Middle East man' Jared Kushner working behind the scenes for expansion of Abraham Accords?</a>
As Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia, Royal Saudi Air Force's F-15 fighter jets escorted Air Force One.&nbsp;At least five fighter jets came flanking of the AF1's wings, three on the right side, two on the left side, just as the plane approached for landing.
Read More |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-embarks-on-middle-east-tour-with-focus-on-business-regional-tensions-9057057" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US President Trump embarks on Middle East tour with focus on business &amp; regional tensions</a>
&ldquo;On behalf of President Trump, THANK YOU!&rdquo; Dan Scavino, Assistant to Trump and the White House Deputy Chief of Staff posted on X with a video from the flight. WATCH here&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-mambtcsy-advjyh09-rq12pcg7">
Air Force One about to go wheels down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Saudi F-15 fighter jets bringing us in. On behalf of President Trump, THANK YOU! 🇺🇸🇸🇦 <a href="https://t.co/UDzPyylyF8">https://t.co/UDzPyylyF8</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nd6DnRGtZD">pic.twitter.com/Nd6DnRGtZD</a>
&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1922191139546812793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
While Israel&rsquo;s war in Gaza and Iran&rsquo;s nuclear ambitions remain front and center, the White House has framed the visit as a &ldquo;historic return&rdquo; to a region Trump first visited as president in 2017&mdash;when he famously posed over a glowing orb with Saudi and Egyptian leaders in Riyadh. By choosing again to begin his overseas travels within the oil-producing Gulf&mdash;instead of with long-standing Western partners&mdash;Trump is demonstrating the rising geopolitical influence of the region, and also emphasising his long-established personal and commercial connections there.

US President Donald Trump has arrived in Saudi Arabia, in what will be the first stop of a three-day tour that will also see him visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates

US President Donald Trump has arrived in Saudi Arabia, in what will be the first stop of a three-day tour that will also see him visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS greeted him on his arrival. Photograph: (AFP) “The era of peace will return, and the commander-in-chief of the US armed forces will be in Washington to help safeguard the Gulf’s security and stand by its people – because he knows them well and believes in the importance of their friendship,” said Eric Trump while speaking to Saudi Arabia’s Asharq al-Awsat newspaper. Read More | Is Donald Trump's 'Middle East man' Jared Kushner working behind the scenes for expansion of Abraham Accords? As Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia, Royal Saudi Air Force's F-15 fighter jets escorted Air Force One. At least five fighter jets came flanking of the AF1's wings, three on the right side, two on the left side, just as the plane approached for landing. Read More | US President Trump embarks on Middle East tour with focus on business & regional tensions “On behalf of President Trump, THANK YOU!” Dan Scavino, Assistant to Trump and the White House Deputy Chief of Staff posted on X with a video from the flight. WATCH here Air Force One about to go wheels down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Saudi F-15 fighter jets bringing us in. On behalf of President Trump, THANK YOU! 🇺🇸🇸🇦 https://t.co/UDzPyylyF8 pic.twitter.com/Nd6DnRGtZD — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) May 13, 2025 While Israel’s war in Gaza and Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain front and center, the White House has framed the visit as a “historic return” to a region Trump first visited as president in 2017—when he famously posed over a glowing orb with Saudi and Egyptian leaders in Riyadh. By choosing again to begin his overseas travels within the oil-producing Gulf—instead of with long-standing Western partners—Trump is demonstrating the rising geopolitical influence of the region, and also emphasising his long-established personal and commercial connections there.

US President Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia on his first trip of second term; MBS welcomes him | Pics here

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on Monday (May 12), beginning his first significant foreign trip of his second term with a packed agenda of business agreements, even though longstanding regional rivalries are likely to predominate.
While Israel&rsquo;s war in Gaza and Iran&rsquo;s nuclear ambitions remain front and center, the White House has framed the visit as a &ldquo;historic return&rdquo; to a region Trump first visited as president in 2017&mdash;when he famously posed over a glowing orb with Saudi and Egyptian leaders in Riyadh.
By choosing again to begin his overseas travels within the oil-producing Gulf&mdash;instead of with long-standing Western partners&mdash;Trump is demonstrating the rising geopolitical influence of the region, and also emphasising his long-established personal and commercial connections there.
"It's hard for me to escape the idea that President Trump is going to the Gulf because this is his happy place," said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"His hosts will be generous and hospitable. They'll be keen to make deals. They'll flatter him and not criticize him, and they'll treat his family members as past and future business partners."
<h2>A historic return</h2>
Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi are making preparations for a lavish reception for Trump, who stopped by Rome briefly to attend Pope Francis's funeral. The Gulf states are likely to present a combination of ceremonial pomp and wide-reaching commercial deals in defense, aviation, energy, and artificial intelligence.
"The president looks forward to embarking on his historic return to the Middle East" to promote a vision where "extremism is defeated in place of commerce and cultural exchanges," spokeswoman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/karoline-leavitt" rel="dofollow">Karoline Leavitt</a> said Friday.
Nevertheless, serious regional crises will be impossible to avoid. Trump will be called upon to speak to the continuing conflict in Gaza, the ascendance of the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen, and instability in Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime.
Trump will meet with the leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman, during his visit. Israel, Washington's most important ally in the region, is strangely absent from the list, fueling speculation regarding the strained relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/benjamin-netanyahu" rel="dofollow">Benjamin Netanyahu</a>.
"Trump is coming to the Gulf first because this region has become a geopolitical and financial center of gravity," Anna Jacobs, non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, was quoted saying to AFP.
Israel has also reportedly given Trump's visit a deadline to consider a possible ceasefire with Hamas, warning it of a major assault in Gaza unless an agreement is reached. Nonetheless, Trump has adopted a hands-off approach, while American officials indicate they're cooperating with Israel on a new Gaza aid corridor.
<h2>Iran and 'Monetizing MAGA'</h2>
Iran will also be a critical focus. On Sunday, the US and Iran are set to resume indirect nuclear talks in Oman. Tehran has expressed outrage after Trump floated the idea of renaming the Persian Gulf to the &ldquo;Gulf of Arabia,&rdquo; a move that would likely escalate tensions further.
In the meantime, while Trump's camp maintains that his businesses are not on the agenda, his family's expanding commercial presence in the region indicates otherwise. The Trump Organisation recently closed a luxury real estate transaction in Qatar and unveiled a $1 billion skyscraper development in Dubai that takes cryptocurrency payments.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/eric-trump">Eric Trump</a> has been touting crypto businesses in the UAE, and Donald Trump Jr. will be speaking at a Doha event called "Monetizing MAGA."
But the White House denied Trump was cashing in.&nbsp;"It's frankly ridiculous that anyone... would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit," Leavitt said.

World: 8 years ago Trump also chose Riyadh for his first overseas trip as president -- when he memorably posed over a glowing orb with leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on Monday (May 12), beginning his first significant foreign trip of his second term with a packed agenda of business agreements, even though longstanding regional rivalries are likely to predominate. While Israel’s war in Gaza and Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain front and center, the White House has framed the visit as a “historic return” to a region Trump first visited as president in 2017—when he famously posed over a glowing orb with Saudi and Egyptian leaders in Riyadh. By choosing again to begin his overseas travels within the oil-producing Gulf—instead of with long-standing Western partners—Trump is demonstrating the rising geopolitical influence of the region, and also emphasising his long-established personal and commercial connections there. "It's hard for me to escape the idea that President Trump is going to the Gulf because this is his happy place," said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "His hosts will be generous and hospitable. They'll be keen to make deals. They'll flatter him and not criticize him, and they'll treat his family members as past and future business partners." A historic return Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi are making preparations for a lavish reception for Trump, who stopped by Rome briefly to attend Pope Francis's funeral. The Gulf states are likely to present a combination of ceremonial pomp and wide-reaching commercial deals in defense, aviation, energy, and artificial intelligence. "The president looks forward to embarking on his historic return to the Middle East" to promote a vision where "extremism is defeated in place of commerce and cultural exchanges," spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Friday. Nevertheless, serious regional crises will be impossible to avoid. Trump will be called upon to speak to the continuing conflict in Gaza, the ascendance of the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen, and instability in Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime. Trump will meet with the leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman, during his visit. Israel, Washington's most important ally in the region, is strangely absent from the list, fueling speculation regarding the strained relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Trump is coming to the Gulf first because this region has become a geopolitical and financial center of gravity," Anna Jacobs, non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, was quoted saying to AFP. Israel has also reportedly given Trump's visit a deadline to consider a possible ceasefire with Hamas, warning it of a major assault in Gaza unless an agreement is reached. Nonetheless, Trump has adopted a hands-off approach, while American officials indicate they're cooperating with Israel on a new Gaza aid corridor. Iran and 'Monetizing MAGA' Iran will also be a critical focus. On Sunday, the US and Iran are set to resume indirect nuclear talks in Oman. Tehran has expressed outrage after Trump floated the idea of renaming the Persian Gulf to the “Gulf of Arabia,” a move that would likely escalate tensions further. In the meantime, while Trump's camp maintains that his businesses are not on the agenda, his family's expanding commercial presence in the region indicates otherwise. The Trump Organisation recently closed a luxury real estate transaction in Qatar and unveiled a $1 billion skyscraper development in Dubai that takes cryptocurrency payments. Eric Trump has been touting crypto businesses in the UAE, and Donald Trump Jr. will be speaking at a Doha event called "Monetizing MAGA." But the White House denied Trump was cashing in. "It's frankly ridiculous that anyone... would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit," Leavitt said.

US President Trump embarks on Middle East tour with focus on business & regional tensions

Tensions between India and Pakistan rose sharply after Pakistan launched an attack on India's Jammu &amp; Kashmir on Saturday (May 10).
Pakistan's attack came after it claimed missile attacks on multiple PAF airbases, including Nur Khan Military Airbase in Rawalpindi, Murid Airbase in Chakwal and Rafiqui Airbase in Shorkot, Jhang district. 
This comes just days after India launched Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror camps inside Pakistan. The situation has drawn attention from several world powers, with many calling for calm and urging both countries to avoid further escalation.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-pak-war-india-strikes-pakistan-operation-sindoor-nur-khan-airbase-rawalpindi-murid-airbase-chakwal-rafiqui-airbase-9053521" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Indo-Pak War: Pakistan claims missile strikes on three airbases including Nur Khan in Rawalpindi</a>
<h2>G7 urges 'maximum restraint'</h2>
In a strong message, the G7 foreign ministers condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April and called for both India and Pakistan to avoid further conflict.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-pak-war-india-strikes-pakistan-operation-sindoor-jk-udhampur-srinagar-akhnoor-9053538" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Indo-Pak war: Rajouri Ad. District Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa dies in blast in J&amp;K; Indian Army destroys Pakistani posts, terrorist launchpads</a>
"We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan. Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides," the G7 statement said.
They also called for immediate talks between the two countries, "We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome. We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-pak-war-us-turkey-brazil-norway-world-reacts-to-pakistan-failed-drone-attack-india-operation-sindoor-india-pakistan-war-pahalgam-terror-attack-9049961" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Indo-Pak War | US 'not going to get involved'; Turkey 'concerned': World reacts to Pakistan&rsquo;s failed&nbsp;attack&nbsp;on&nbsp;India</a>
<h2>US says Trump wants quick end to conflict</h2>
The United States also reacted, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying President Trump is closely watching the situation and supports efforts to calm tensions.
"This is something that the Secretary of State and now our NSA as well, Marco Rubio, has been involved in. The President has expressed that he wants this to de-escalate as quickly as possible. He understands these two countries have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was here at the Oval Office," she said during a briefing.
She added, "However, he has good relations with the leaders of both countries. Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eam-s-jaishankar-issues-statement-after-speaking-to-marco-rubio-9050651" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Marco Rubio</a> has been in constant communication with the leaders of both countries, trying to bring this conflict to an end."
<h2>Saudi Arabia sends envoy to both countries</h2>
Saudi Arabia also stepped in. The Kingdom sent a senior official to visit both India and Pakistan on 8 and 9 May in an effort to help lower tensions.
"Upon the directives of the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Climate Envoy, visited the Republic of #India and the Islamic Republic of #Pakistan during the period of May 8&ndash;9, 2025. The visit comes as part of the Kingdom&rsquo;s efforts towards de-escalation."
<h2>'Give priority to peace and stability' </h2>
China on Saturday (May 10) urged India and Pakistan to avoid an escalation in fighting, Beijing's foreign ministry said, as the conflict between its two nuclear-armed neighbours spiralled toward full-blown war.
"We strongly call on both India and Pakistan to give priority to peace and stability, remain calm and restrained, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means and avoid taking actions that further escalate tensions," a statement by a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

World: In a strong message, the G7 foreign ministers condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April and called for both India and Pakistan to avoid further conflict.

Tensions between India and Pakistan rose sharply after Pakistan launched an attack on India's Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday (May 10). Pakistan's attack came after it claimed missile attacks on multiple PAF airbases, including Nur Khan Military Airbase in Rawalpindi, Murid Airbase in Chakwal and Rafiqui Airbase in Shorkot, Jhang district. This comes just days after India launched Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror camps inside Pakistan. The situation has drawn attention from several world powers, with many calling for calm and urging both countries to avoid further escalation. Also read: Indo-Pak War: Pakistan claims missile strikes on three airbases including Nur Khan in Rawalpindi G7 urges 'maximum restraint' In a strong message, the G7 foreign ministers condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April and called for both India and Pakistan to avoid further conflict. Also read: Indo-Pak war: Rajouri Ad. District Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa dies in blast in J&K; Indian Army destroys Pakistani posts, terrorist launchpads "We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan. Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides," the G7 statement said. They also called for immediate talks between the two countries, "We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome. We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution." Also read: Indo-Pak War | US 'not going to get involved'; Turkey 'concerned': World reacts to Pakistan’s failed attack on India US says Trump wants quick end to conflict The United States also reacted, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying President Trump is closely watching the situation and supports efforts to calm tensions. "This is something that the Secretary of State and now our NSA as well, Marco Rubio, has been involved in. The President has expressed that he wants this to de-escalate as quickly as possible. He understands these two countries have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was here at the Oval Office," she said during a briefing. She added, "However, he has good relations with the leaders of both countries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in constant communication with the leaders of both countries, trying to bring this conflict to an end." Saudi Arabia sends envoy to both countries Saudi Arabia also stepped in. The Kingdom sent a senior official to visit both India and Pakistan on 8 and 9 May in an effort to help lower tensions. "Upon the directives of the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Climate Envoy, visited the Republic of #India and the Islamic Republic of #Pakistan during the period of May 8–9, 2025. The visit comes as part of the Kingdom’s efforts towards de-escalation." 'Give priority to peace and stability' China on Saturday (May 10) urged India and Pakistan to avoid an escalation in fighting, Beijing's foreign ministry said, as the conflict between its two nuclear-armed neighbours spiralled toward full-blown war. "We strongly call on both India and Pakistan to give priority to peace and stability, remain calm and restrained, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means and avoid taking actions that further escalate tensions," a statement by a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Indo-Pak war: Trump calls for 'quick end', G7 'condemn Pahalgam attack' | World reacts to sharp escalation between India & Pakistan

A powerful sandstorm hit the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Covering buildings and obstructing visibility, forcing many residents to stay indoors. The storm swept through the capital with thick clouds of dust, reducing visibility and disrupting daily life in one of the kingdom’s busiest cities, almost hiding its skylines.

Sandstorm sweeps Riyadh, visibility reduces to near zero

The US State Department has given initial approval to the sale of $3.5 billion worth of missile to Saudi Arabia. The sale primarily comprises AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). This is the latest proposed arms deal ahead of the first official visit of US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s second administration.
The proposed deal was announced by the Pentagon&rsquo;s Defence Security Cooperation Agency in a statement released on Friday (May 2). As part of the deal, Saudi Arabia had requested 1000 AMRAAMs, 50 AMRAAM guidance sections, missile containers, spares, and a range of logistic and support services.
The deal has been formally notified to Congress; however, the statement also specified that there was no indication of signing a contract. Upon the congressional approval, RTX Corp will be the main contractor responsible for the missile-related support.
<h2 dir="ltr">Military partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia</h2>
This is the latest in the series of military deals signed between the two nations. According to the US military sales figures between 2022 and 2025, these two nations have signed deals worth approximately&nbsp; $16.4-$20.4 billion. This includes,&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
$1.05 billion worth of combined sales of AGM-114R3 Hellfire II missiles and AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles in October 2024
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
$2.8 billion worth of system logistics and sustainment support for various aircraft in July 2024
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
$1 billion worth of a comprehensive military training programme in December 2023
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
$500 million worth of Cooperative and Logistics Supply Support Arrangement Programme in September 2023.
</li>
</ul>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-plots-double-financial-strike-on-pakistan-to-stifle-terror-funding-jittery-islamabad-reacts-9027446" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">India plots double financial strike on Pakistan to stifle terror funding, jittery Islamabad reacts</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Strategic and economic significance</h2>
With the ongoing tariff war, sectors like automotive and electronics have experienced a decline. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported a Manufacturing PMI of 48.7 for April 2025, down from 49.0 in March 2025. This is the second consecutive month that the PMI has fallen below the neutral threshold. However, companies like RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin and Boeing have reported 6-10% Y-o-Y revenue growth partly due to foreign sales in 2023-24.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/wion-originals-0/nation-stand-with-you-on-india-but-not-on-afghanistan-fazl-ur-rahman-launches-scurrilous-attack-on-pakistani-establishment-9026321" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Nation stands with you on India but not on Afghanistan': Fazl ur Rahman launches scurrilous attack on Pakistani establishment</a>
US defence exports act as a buffer against the backdrop of a broader industrial decline. Between 2022 and 2024, it accounted for $205 billion in sales globally. Among which Saudi Arabia accounts for over 8 per cent of the US foreign military sales.
Saudi Arabia plans to invest $600 billion in the US in the next four years. This is likely to reduce the trade deficit and maintain a trade surplus in Saudi Arabia. 
Saudi Arabia already boasts the largest fleet of F-15 fighter jets after the US.
With the ongoing sporadic drone strikes of Yemen-based Houthi rebels and continued expansions of Iran&rsquo;s missile arsenal, the US feels the need to utilise its defence sales to support the foreign policy goals in the region. It plans to strengthen its allies and contribute to the political stability of the region.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/house-of-horror-uncovered-in-spain-9025029" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'House of horror': Children aged 8 and 10, prisoned by parents since Covid, rescued</a>
&nbsp;

Discover how the US State Department's approval of a $billion missile sale to Saudi Arabia marks a strategic move in their partnership | World | Business & Economy

The US State Department has given initial approval to the sale of $3.5 billion worth of missile to Saudi Arabia. The sale primarily comprises AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). This is the latest proposed arms deal ahead of the first official visit of US President Donald Trump’s second administration. The proposed deal was announced by the Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency in a statement released on Friday (May 2). As part of the deal, Saudi Arabia had requested 1000 AMRAAMs, 50 AMRAAM guidance sections, missile containers, spares, and a range of logistic and support services. The deal has been formally notified to Congress; however, the statement also specified that there was no indication of signing a contract. Upon the congressional approval, RTX Corp will be the main contractor responsible for the missile-related support. Military partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia This is the latest in the series of military deals signed between the two nations. According to the US military sales figures between 2022 and 2025, these two nations have signed deals worth approximately $16.4-$20.4 billion. This includes, $1.05 billion worth of combined sales of AGM-114R3 Hellfire II missiles and AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles in October 2024 $2.8 billion worth of system logistics and sustainment support for various aircraft in July 2024 $1 billion worth of a comprehensive military training programme in December 2023 $500 million worth of Cooperative and Logistics Supply Support Arrangement Programme in September 2023. Also read: India plots double financial strike on Pakistan to stifle terror funding, jittery Islamabad reacts Strategic and economic significance With the ongoing tariff war, sectors like automotive and electronics have experienced a decline. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported a Manufacturing PMI of 48.7 for April 2025, down from 49.0 in March 2025. This is the second consecutive month that the PMI has fallen below the neutral threshold. However, companies like RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin and Boeing have reported 6-10% Y-o-Y revenue growth partly due to foreign sales in 2023-24. Also read | 'Nation stands with you on India but not on Afghanistan': Fazl ur Rahman launches scurrilous attack on Pakistani establishment US defence exports act as a buffer against the backdrop of a broader industrial decline. Between 2022 and 2024, it accounted for $205 billion in sales globally. Among which Saudi Arabia accounts for over 8 per cent of the US foreign military sales. Saudi Arabia plans to invest $600 billion in the US in the next four years. This is likely to reduce the trade deficit and maintain a trade surplus in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia already boasts the largest fleet of F-15 fighter jets after the US. With the ongoing sporadic drone strikes of Yemen-based Houthi rebels and continued expansions of Iran’s missile arsenal, the US feels the need to utilise its defence sales to support the foreign policy goals in the region. It plans to strengthen its allies and contribute to the political stability of the region. Also read | 'House of horror': Children aged 8 and 10, prisoned by parents since Covid, rescued

US gives initial clearance of $3.5 billion missile sales to Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump will visit the Middle East next month on a three-country tour, his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. The White House confirmed that President Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on a trip starting on May 13. &ldquo;He will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 until May 16,&rdquo; Leavitt told a White House press briefing.
&ldquo;He will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on May 13 until May 16,&rdquo; she said. She did not list Israel among the countries Trump will visit.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terror-attack-in-pahalgam-tourist-killed-several-injured-pm-modi-says-perpetrators-will-not-be-spared-8990496" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Terror attack in J&amp;K's Pahalgam, 27 killed, several injured; PM Modi says perpetrators &lsquo;will not be spared&rsquo;</a>
Leavitt added that Trump will travel to Rome for Pope Francis&rsquo;s funeral over the weekend, departing on Friday and returning on Saturday, which will be the first foreign trip of his second presidency.
Earlier, in March, Trump said his trip to Saudi Arabia would be to seal an agreement to invest upwards of $1 trillion in the US economy, including purchases of military equipment. He suggested similar agreements would be signed in Qatar and the UAE
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/imf-slashes-global-growth-forecast-lowers-indias-fy26-outlook-to-62-8990819" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IMF slashes global growth forecast citing tariff war, lowers India&rsquo;s FY26 outlook to 6.2%</a>
&ldquo;Tremendous jobs will be created in those two or three days,&rdquo; Trump said. The president did not elaborate on the specifics of the deals.
Other topics likely to be discussed include Russia's three-year-old war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza, one source said.
"I have a very good relationship with the Middle East. It could be next month, maybe a little bit later," he told reporters at the White House earlier this month, responding to a request to comment on an Axios article that said Trump planned to make a visit to Saudi Arabia.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jd-vance-speaks-on-us-indias-shared-priorities-calls-pm-modi-most-popular-leader-president-trump-wants-india-to-grow-8989489" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Most popular leader': JD Vance praises PM Modi, says 'President Trump wants India to grow</a>

World: Earlier, in March, Trump said his trip to Saudi Arabia would be to seal an agreement to invest upwards of $1 trillion in the US economy, including purchases of military equipment.

US President Donald Trump will visit the Middle East next month on a three-country tour, his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. The White House confirmed that President Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on a trip starting on May 13. “He will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 until May 16,” Leavitt told a White House press briefing. “He will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on May 13 until May 16,” she said. She did not list Israel among the countries Trump will visit. Also read: Terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam, 27 killed, several injured; PM Modi says perpetrators ‘will not be spared’ Leavitt added that Trump will travel to Rome for Pope Francis’s funeral over the weekend, departing on Friday and returning on Saturday, which will be the first foreign trip of his second presidency. Earlier, in March, Trump said his trip to Saudi Arabia would be to seal an agreement to invest upwards of $1 trillion in the US economy, including purchases of military equipment. He suggested similar agreements would be signed in Qatar and the UAE Also Read | IMF slashes global growth forecast citing tariff war, lowers India’s FY26 outlook to 6.2% “Tremendous jobs will be created in those two or three days,” Trump said. The president did not elaborate on the specifics of the deals. Other topics likely to be discussed include Russia's three-year-old war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza, one source said. "I have a very good relationship with the Middle East. It could be next month, maybe a little bit later," he told reporters at the White House earlier this month, responding to a request to comment on an Axios article that said Trump planned to make a visit to Saudi Arabia. Also Read | 'Most popular leader': JD Vance praises PM Modi, says 'President Trump wants India to grow

President Trump to go on three-nation Gulf tour, visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE from May 13

As the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir moves the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and will now return on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;
According to government sources, PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia. He will now leave for India tonight and arrive early Wednesday morning.&nbsp;
Saudi Crown Prince has offered help to India over the Pahalgam terror attack during his meeting with PM Modi, Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan said.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pahalgam-jammu-kashmir-terror-attack-tourists-dead-injured-april-22-2025-omar-abdullah-8990687">Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: PM Modi cuts short his Saudi Arabia visit after militant attack in J&amp;K that killed 27</a>
&ldquo;In view of the terrorist attack in Kashmir, PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia and has decided to cut short his visit,&rdquo; said a government source.
Earlier, he was scheduled to return tomorrow night.&nbsp;
The deadliest attack since Pulwama has shocked the whole world as 27 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Moreover, at least 20 people were injured.&nbsp;
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/animals-inhuman-cowardice-leaders-across-party-lines-condemn-dastardly-pahalgam-terror-attack-8991132">&lsquo;Animals, inhuman, cowardice&rsquo;: Leaders across party lines condemn Pahalgam terror attack</a>
<h2>PM Modi vows to bring justice</h2>
PM Modi condemned the attack on tourists and vowerd that those behind the heinous act would be brought to justice.&nbsp;
"They (terrorists) will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," PM Modi said in a post on X.&nbsp;
He also conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the terror attack.&nbsp;
The tourists said that the attackers seemed to be targeting Hindu tourists. &ldquo;Three to four people attacked us. I told them &ndash; kill me too, you&rsquo;ve already killed my husband. One of them said, &lsquo;I won&rsquo;t kill you. Go tell this to Modi&rsquo;,&rdquo; one of the tourists recounted.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers came out of the thick pine forests surrounding the area and started shooting at civilians, triggering chaos and panic.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistans-lashkar-offshoot-trf-claims-responsibility-for-pahalgam-terror-attack-know-more-about-this-banned-group-8990961">Pakistan's Lashkar offshoot TRF claims responsibility for Pahalgam terror attack: Know more about this banned group</a>
<h2>World leaders react</h2>
US President Donald Trump expressed condolences, saying that the US stands strong with India against terrorism.
"We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all," he said in a post on X.&nbsp;
Trump is also scheduled to talk to PM Modi regarding the attack in J&amp;K, White House press secretary said.&nbsp;
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences in a statement and said that "this brutal crime has no justification whatsoever."
"Kindly accept the sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, whose victims were civilians &mdash; citizens of various countries. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face deserved punishment. I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said.&nbsp;
Ukraine has also issued a statement and said that it is deeply concerned over the attack on tourists at Pahalgam, J&amp;K. "We endure the loss of life from terrorism daily and firmly condemn terrorism in all its forms. When innocent people are murdered, it brings unbearable pain. The perpetrators should be held accountable," it said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terror-attack-in-pahalgam-tourist-killed-several-injured-pm-modi-says-perpetrators-will-not-be-spared-8990496">Terror attack in J&amp;K's Pahalgam, 27 killed, several injured; PM Modi says perpetrators &lsquo;will not be spared&rsquo;</a>

As per government sources, PM Modi skipped official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia. He will now leave for India tonight and arrive early Wednesday. India news WORLD

As the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir moves the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and will now return on Wednesday morning. According to government sources, PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia. He will now leave for India tonight and arrive early Wednesday morning. Saudi Crown Prince has offered help to India over the Pahalgam terror attack during his meeting with PM Modi, Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan said. Also read: Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: PM Modi cuts short his Saudi Arabia visit after militant attack in J&K that killed 27 “In view of the terrorist attack in Kashmir, PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia and has decided to cut short his visit,” said a government source. Earlier, he was scheduled to return tomorrow night. The deadliest attack since Pulwama has shocked the whole world as 27 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Moreover, at least 20 people were injured. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility. Also read: ‘Animals, inhuman, cowardice’: Leaders across party lines condemn Pahalgam terror attack PM Modi vows to bring justice PM Modi condemned the attack on tourists and vowerd that those behind the heinous act would be brought to justice. "They (terrorists) will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," PM Modi said in a post on X. He also conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the terror attack. The tourists said that the attackers seemed to be targeting Hindu tourists. “Three to four people attacked us. I told them – kill me too, you’ve already killed my husband. One of them said, ‘I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi’,” one of the tourists recounted. Eyewitnesses said the attackers came out of the thick pine forests surrounding the area and started shooting at civilians, triggering chaos and panic. Also read: Pakistan's Lashkar offshoot TRF claims responsibility for Pahalgam terror attack: Know more about this banned group World leaders react US President Donald Trump expressed condolences, saying that the US stands strong with India against terrorism. "We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all," he said in a post on X. Trump is also scheduled to talk to PM Modi regarding the attack in J&K, White House press secretary said. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences in a statement and said that "this brutal crime has no justification whatsoever." "Kindly accept the sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, whose victims were civilians — citizens of various countries. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face deserved punishment. I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said. Ukraine has also issued a statement and said that it is deeply concerned over the attack on tourists at Pahalgam, J&K. "We endure the loss of life from terrorism daily and firmly condemn terrorism in all its forms. When innocent people are murdered, it brings unbearable pain. The perpetrators should be held accountable," it said. Also read: Terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam, 27 killed, several injured; PM Modi says perpetrators ‘will not be spared’

PM Modi cuts short Saudi visit as deadly J&K terror attack kills 27 tourists; 'Kashmir bandh' announced, candle march begins

World, India News | PM Narendra Modi is on a visit to Saudi Arabia. Here's a look at the other Indian Prime Ministers who have visited Saudi Arabia during their tenure

PM Modi's 3rd visit to Saudi Arabia: How many Indian Prime Ministers visited Arabian nation since Independence

Saudi Arabia's Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, also known as the "Sleeping Prince", turned 36 on April 18. However, he remains in a coma for nearly 20 years now.&nbsp;
Prince Al-Waleed was put in a coma in 2005 after he suffered a brain injury in a deadly car crash in London when he was pursuing his studies at military college.
Despite medical advice to end life support, his father declined, as he hoped for his recovery. Also, his condition improved a little over the years.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/saudi-arabia-fighter-jets-escort-pm-modis-plane-in-display-of-diplomatic-ties-watch-8989151">Saudi Arabia fighter jets escort PM Modi's plane in display of diplomatic ties-WATCH</a>
"The prince remains on life support, relying on mechanical ventilation and a feeding tube," Roya News reported.
In 2019, there were little signs of limited response, as his fingers moved and his head shifted slightly, but there has been no documented progress since.&nbsp;
Prince Al-Waleed is the great-grandson of Saudi Arabia's founder King Abdulaziz, and he still continues to receive life support in Riyadh, according to Indian media.&nbsp;
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-modi-to-visit-saudi-arabia-today-india-to-push-for-revival-of-imec-8988190">PM Modi to visit Saudi Arabia today; India to push for revival of IMEC</a>
He is currently being treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh under the care of a full-time medical team.&nbsp;
As he turned 36 last week, the "Sleeping Prince" drew widespread attention on social media, as users shared his photos along with his family members.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
سعودی شہزادہ الولید بن خالد بن طلال، جو دو دہائیوں سے زائد عرصے تک کوما میں ہیں اور پوری عرب دنیا میں "Sleeping Prince" کے نام سے جانے جاتے ہیں، نے جمعہ 18 اپریل کو اپنی 36 ویں سالگرہ منائی۔ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sleepingprince?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sleepingprince</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiPrince?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaudiPrince</a> <a href="https://t.co/IUX0uSN8Gq">pic.twitter.com/IUX0uSN8Gq</a>
&mdash; SirajAnas (@SirajAnas12) <a href="https://twitter.com/SirajAnas12/status/1914031857768767934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
"Over the past 24 hours, the prince&rsquo;s birthday has attracted widespread attention on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where thousands of users have offered their condolences and prayers for his recovery," one of the users wrote.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bilateral-ties-have-gained-significant-momentum-in-last-decade-pm-modi-embarks-on-2-day-visit-to-saudi-arabia-8988325">'Bilateral ties have gained significant momentum in last decade': PM Modi embarks on 2-day visit to Saudi Arabia</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
سعودی شہزادہ الولید بن خالد بن طلال، جو دو دہائیوں سے زائد عرصے سے کوما میں ہیں اور پوری عرب دنیا میں "Sleeping Prince" کے نام سے جانے جاتے ہیں، نے جمعہ 18 اپریل کو اپنی 36 ویں سالگرہ منائی۔ سعودی پرنس 2005 میں لندن میں ایک خوفناک کار حادثے کے نتیجے میں کوما میں چلے گئے تھے تاہم&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/KskdfaNkGU">pic.twitter.com/KskdfaNkGU</a>
&mdash; Mubashir Afzal (@msaad8636) <a href="https://twitter.com/msaad8636/status/1914248257062023461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
However, no official statement was released by his family members.&nbsp;

Prince Al-Waleed was put in a coma in 2005 after he suffered a brain injury in a deadly car crash in London when he was pursuing his studies at military college | WORLD

Saudi Arabia's Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, also known as the "Sleeping Prince", turned 36 on April 18. However, he remains in a coma for nearly 20 years now. Prince Al-Waleed was put in a coma in 2005 after he suffered a brain injury in a deadly car crash in London when he was pursuing his studies at military college. Despite medical advice to end life support, his father declined, as he hoped for his recovery. Also, his condition improved a little over the years. Also read: Saudi Arabia fighter jets escort PM Modi's plane in display of diplomatic ties-WATCH "The prince remains on life support, relying on mechanical ventilation and a feeding tube," Roya News reported. In 2019, there were little signs of limited response, as his fingers moved and his head shifted slightly, but there has been no documented progress since. Prince Al-Waleed is the great-grandson of Saudi Arabia's founder King Abdulaziz, and he still continues to receive life support in Riyadh, according to Indian media. WATCH | PM Modi to visit Saudi Arabia today; India to push for revival of IMEC He is currently being treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh under the care of a full-time medical team. As he turned 36 last week, the "Sleeping Prince" drew widespread attention on social media, as users shared his photos along with his family members. سعودی شہزادہ الولید بن خالد بن طلال، جو دو دہائیوں سے زائد عرصے تک کوما میں ہیں اور پوری عرب دنیا میں "Sleeping Prince" کے نام سے جانے جاتے ہیں، نے جمعہ 18 اپریل کو اپنی 36 ویں سالگرہ منائی۔ #sleepingprince #SaudiPrince pic.twitter.com/IUX0uSN8Gq — SirajAnas (@SirajAnas12) April 20, 2025 "Over the past 24 hours, the prince’s birthday has attracted widespread attention on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where thousands of users have offered their condolences and prayers for his recovery," one of the users wrote. Also read: 'Bilateral ties have gained significant momentum in last decade': PM Modi embarks on 2-day visit to Saudi Arabia سعودی شہزادہ الولید بن خالد بن طلال، جو دو دہائیوں سے زائد عرصے سے کوما میں ہیں اور پوری عرب دنیا میں "Sleeping Prince" کے نام سے جانے جاتے ہیں، نے جمعہ 18 اپریل کو اپنی 36 ویں سالگرہ منائی۔ سعودی پرنس 2005 میں لندن میں ایک خوفناک کار حادثے کے نتیجے میں کوما میں چلے گئے تھے تاہم… pic.twitter.com/KskdfaNkGU — Mubashir Afzal (@msaad8636) April 21, 2025 However, no official statement was released by his family members.

Who is Saudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince'? Billionaire Prince remains unconscious for nearly 20 years

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia today following an invitation from Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. This would be Modi's third visit to Saudi Arabia and the first in his third term.

PM Modi to visit Saudi Arabia today; India to push for revival of IMEC

PM Modi to visit Saudi Arabia today: Energy, trade and defence partnership on agenda

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Saudi Arabia from April 22nd to 23rd following an invitation from Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. This would be Modi's third visit to Saudi Arabia and the first in his third term.

PM Modi to visit Saudi Arabia on April 22-23; defence cooperation, strategic partnership on agenda

India, Saudi Arabia to hold 2nd Strategic Partnership Council meet

#Gravitas A historic meeting unfolded in West Asia as Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman met with both Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. It is the first visit by a Saudi Arabian Defence Minister, since the 1979 Iran revolution.

Historic Saudi-Iran visit amidst nuclear talks with US

Leaders of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have raised the issue of the reported slashing of India&rsquo;s private Hajj quota by 80 per cent, and urged the Ministry of External Affairs of the Indian government to intervene in the matter and ensure all applicants can go on pilgrimage to Mecca.&nbsp;
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has appealed to the Prime Minister to speak with the leaders of Saudi Arabia on the issue.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9h2j8qu-r1bg8tm2-wmvrpxze">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Srinagar | On Saudi Arabia slashing private Hajj quota, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah says, "I appeal to the Prime Minister to speak with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and urge them to not reduce our quota (of Hajj pilgrims). There is also the question&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/7aoweZviC7">pic.twitter.com/7aoweZviC7</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1911681443706662926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
 People&rsquo;s Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti, termed the sudden decision &lsquo;disturbing news&rsquo; and said that it has caused distress to pilgrims and tour operators. She also urged the Union Ministry of External Affairs to &lsquo;immediately&rsquo; intervene and take up the reported slashing of the private Hajj pilgrim quote for Indian pilgrims by 80 per cent with the government of Saudi Arabia. &ldquo;Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India&rsquo;s private Hajj quota has been cut abruptly,&rdquo; Mufti said in a post on X on Sunday. &ldquo;This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution.&rdquo;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9h2jzqi-aulq8tov-kpqw42ch">
Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India&rsquo;s private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately&hellip;
&mdash; Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) <a href="https://twitter.com/MehboobaMufti/status/1911387411529027823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged MEA S Jaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities to explore a resolution in the interest of all affected pilgrims. Abdullah said cancellation of Hajj slots for over &ldquo;52,000 Indian pilgrims&rdquo;, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning. &ldquo;This measure is crucial to ease the distress of thousands hoping to undertake the sacred pilgrimage this year,&rdquo; said Abdullah in a post on X from his official handle.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9h2kihr-u6pyjj41-b3twggs6">
The reported cancellation of Hajj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning. I urge Hon&rsquo;ble Minister of External Affairs <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> to engage with the Saudi authorities at the earliest to explore a resolution in&hellip;
&mdash; Office of Chief Minister, J&amp;K (@CM_JnK) <a href="https://twitter.com/CM_JnK/status/1911427132913222115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
In January 2025, India signed a Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, finalising a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims.&nbsp; Union Ministry of Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed the agreement with Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah. &ldquo;Hajj Agreement 2025 signed with Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Kindom of Saudi Arabia. Finalized a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for Hajj 2025. We are committed to providing the best possible services to all our HajJ pilgrims,&rdquo; Rijiju said in a post on X in January.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9h2kzu1-h9er5i56-htstvuhp">
Haj Agreement 2025 signed with H.E. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Kindom of Saudi Arabia. Finalized a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Haj2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Haj2025</a> 🕋 We are committed to provide best possible services to all our Haj Pilgrims. <a href="https://t.co/YdzxEdZLjJ">pic.twitter.com/YdzxEdZLjJ</a>
&mdash; Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1878708710165663803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
There has been no official statement from the Indian government so far on the reported slashing of Hajj quota by Saudi authorities. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has taken many crowd control measures for Hajj this year by imposing new travel restrictions.&nbsp; It has also decided not to issue visas to children under 12 for Hajj, as per reports, following which the Haj Committee of India cancelled applications of 291 children under 12 years who had applied for a visa to accompany their parents to perform Umrah.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hajj-2025-saudi-arabia-bans-pilgrims-from-taking-their-children-along-8707786">Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia bans pilgrims from taking their children along</a>
Saudi Arabia has also implemented significant changes to its visa policy for travellers from 14 countries, including India, and suspended one-year multiple-entry visas.
Under the revised rules, visitors from the 14 affected countries can only obtain single-entry visas with a validity of 30 days. Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected by these restrictions. Saudi officials said some travellers enter on long-term visas and remain beyond their permitted stay to work or participate in Hajj without authorisation.
Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam in Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage is performed during a particular period that culminates with Eid-ul-Adha. This year Hajj is expected to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon marking the beginning of Zil-Hajj, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/%20https:/www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-women-need-permission-of-parents-or-husbands-to-perform-hajj-in-2025-8602523" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Also read: Pakistani women need permission of parents or husbands to perform Hajj in 2025</a>
In India, the Hajj pilgrimage is conducted either through the Hajj Committee of India (HCoI), a statutory organisation under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, or through Private Tour Operators (PTOs) also known as Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs).

India News: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the cancellation of Hajj slots for over “52,000 Indian pilgrims”, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning.

Leaders of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have raised the issue of the reported slashing of India’s private Hajj quota by 80 per cent, and urged the Ministry of External Affairs of the Indian government to intervene in the matter and ensure all applicants can go on pilgrimage to Mecca. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has appealed to the Prime Minister to speak with the leaders of Saudi Arabia on the issue. #WATCH | Srinagar | On Saudi Arabia slashing private Hajj quota, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah says, "I appeal to the Prime Minister to speak with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and urge them to not reduce our quota (of Hajj pilgrims). There is also the question… pic.twitter.com/7aoweZviC7 — ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2025 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti, termed the sudden decision ‘disturbing news’ and said that it has caused distress to pilgrims and tour operators. She also urged the Union Ministry of External Affairs to ‘immediately’ intervene and take up the reported slashing of the private Hajj pilgrim quote for Indian pilgrims by 80 per cent with the government of Saudi Arabia. “Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India’s private Hajj quota has been cut abruptly,” Mufti said in a post on X on Sunday. “This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution.” Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India’s private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately… — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 13, 2025 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged MEA S Jaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities to explore a resolution in the interest of all affected pilgrims. Abdullah said cancellation of Hajj slots for over “52,000 Indian pilgrims”, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning. “This measure is crucial to ease the distress of thousands hoping to undertake the sacred pilgrimage this year,” said Abdullah in a post on X from his official handle. The reported cancellation of Hajj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning. I urge Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities at the earliest to explore a resolution in… — Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) April 13, 2025 In January 2025, India signed a Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, finalising a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims. Union Ministry of Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed the agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah. “Hajj Agreement 2025 signed with Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Kindom of Saudi Arabia. Finalized a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for Hajj 2025. We are committed to providing the best possible services to all our HajJ pilgrims,” Rijiju said in a post on X in January. Haj Agreement 2025 signed with H.E. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Kindom of Saudi Arabia. Finalized a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for #Haj2025 🕋 We are committed to provide best possible services to all our Haj Pilgrims. pic.twitter.com/YdzxEdZLjJ — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 13, 2025 There has been no official statement from the Indian government so far on the reported slashing of Hajj quota by Saudi authorities. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has taken many crowd control measures for Hajj this year by imposing new travel restrictions. It has also decided not to issue visas to children under 12 for Hajj, as per reports, following which the Haj Committee of India cancelled applications of 291 children under 12 years who had applied for a visa to accompany their parents to perform Umrah. Also read | Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia bans pilgrims from taking their children along Saudi Arabia has also implemented significant changes to its visa policy for travellers from 14 countries, including India, and suspended one-year multiple-entry visas. Under the revised rules, visitors from the 14 affected countries can only obtain single-entry visas with a validity of 30 days. Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, and residency visas remain unaffected by these restrictions. Saudi officials said some travellers enter on long-term visas and remain beyond their permitted stay to work or participate in Hajj without authorisation. Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam in Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage is performed during a particular period that culminates with Eid-ul-Adha. This year Hajj is expected to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon marking the beginning of Zil-Hajj, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Also read: Pakistani women need permission of parents or husbands to perform Hajj in 2025 In India, the Hajj pilgrimage is conducted either through the Hajj Committee of India (HCoI), a statutory organisation under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, or through Private Tour Operators (PTOs) also known as Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs).

Did Saudi Arabia ‘slash’ India's private Hajj quota by 80%? J&K leaders urge MEA, PM to intervene

The United States and Saudi Arabia have decided to sign a preliminary pact for cooperation over the kingdom&rsquo;s ambitions to develop a civil nuclear industry, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Wright had met Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman earlier in the day. He said Riyadh and Washington were on &ldquo;a pathway&rdquo; to reaching an agreement for working together to develop a Saudi civil nuclear programme. Wright, however, made no mention of a wider arrangement with the kingdom, which the previous Biden administration had been pressing for and included a civil nuclear agreement and security guarantees in the hopes it would lead to normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Wright, who is on his first visit to the kingdom as secretary during a tour of energy-producing Gulf states, said that further details about a memorandum detailing the energy cooperation between Riyadh and Washington would come later this year.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/now-a-simple-blood-test-could-detect-parkinsons-disease-long-before-symptoms-emerge-8957415" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Now a simple blood test could detect Parkinson&rsquo;s disease long before symptoms emerge</a> &ldquo;For a US partnership and involvement in nuclear here, there will definitely be a 123 agreement &hellip; there&rsquo;s lots of ways to structure a deal that will accomplish both the Saudi objectives and the American objectives,&rdquo; he said. The &lsquo;123 agreement&rsquo; with Riyadh refers to Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and is required to permit the US government and American companies to work with entities in the kingdom to develop a civil nuclear industry. It specifies nine non-proliferation criteria a state must meet to keep it from using the technology to develop nuclear arms or transfer sensitive materials to others. Saudi authorities have not yet agreed to the requirements under the act. Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-wto-head-us-tariffs-will-inflict-serious-harm-on-developing-countries-8955884" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">China to WTO head: 'US tariffs will inflict serious harm on developing countries'</a> The discussions had not advanced earlier since Saudi Arabia was averse to signing a deal that ruled out the possibility of enriching uranium or reprocessing spent fuel&mdash;both potential paths to a bomb. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been saying that if Iran developed a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would follow suit, a stance that has fuelled deep concern among arms control advocates and some US lawmakers over a possible US-Saudi civil nuclear deal. Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-seeking-to-deploy-nuclear-weapons-in-space-warns-nato-chief-8957098" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Russia seeking to deploy nuclear weapons in space, warns NATO chief</a> Saudi Arabia, the largest oil exporter in the world, is aiming to generate substantial renewable energy and reduce emissions under the crown prince&rsquo;s Vision 2030 reform plan.
&nbsp;
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World: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been saying that if Iran developed a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would follow suit. Saudi Arabia is aiming to generate substantial renewable energy and reduce emissions.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have decided to sign a preliminary pact for cooperation over the kingdom’s ambitions to develop a civil nuclear industry, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Wright had met Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman earlier in the day. He said Riyadh and Washington were on “a pathway” to reaching an agreement for working together to develop a Saudi civil nuclear programme. Wright, however, made no mention of a wider arrangement with the kingdom, which the previous Biden administration had been pressing for and included a civil nuclear agreement and security guarantees in the hopes it would lead to normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Wright, who is on his first visit to the kingdom as secretary during a tour of energy-producing Gulf states, said that further details about a memorandum detailing the energy cooperation between Riyadh and Washington would come later this year. Also Read | Now a simple blood test could detect Parkinson’s disease long before symptoms emerge “For a US partnership and involvement in nuclear here, there will definitely be a 123 agreement … there’s lots of ways to structure a deal that will accomplish both the Saudi objectives and the American objectives,” he said. The ‘123 agreement’ with Riyadh refers to Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and is required to permit the US government and American companies to work with entities in the kingdom to develop a civil nuclear industry. It specifies nine non-proliferation criteria a state must meet to keep it from using the technology to develop nuclear arms or transfer sensitive materials to others. Saudi authorities have not yet agreed to the requirements under the act. Also read: China to WTO head: 'US tariffs will inflict serious harm on developing countries' The discussions had not advanced earlier since Saudi Arabia was averse to signing a deal that ruled out the possibility of enriching uranium or reprocessing spent fuel—both potential paths to a bomb. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been saying that if Iran developed a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would follow suit, a stance that has fuelled deep concern among arms control advocates and some US lawmakers over a possible US-Saudi civil nuclear deal. Also Read | Russia seeking to deploy nuclear weapons in space, warns NATO chief Saudi Arabia, the largest oil exporter in the world, is aiming to generate substantial renewable energy and reduce emissions under the crown prince’s Vision 2030 reform plan.

US, Saudi to sign agreement to develop civil nuclear industry in Riyadh: Here's what it means

Tesla officially launched in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, marking a new chapter in the company&rsquo;s global expansion after Elon Musk &rsquo;s troubled relationship with the kingdom. A Tesla Cybertruck and a redesigned Model Y sedan dominated a plaza dotted with palm trees, as the EV maker officially opened for business. A small crowd tried out the vehicles as a massive outdoor video screen showed a Cybertruck plowing through a dusky desert, leaving behind plumes of sand.
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-rich-is-elon-musk-astrophysicist-shares-geeky-visualisation-8936936">How rich is Elon Musk? Astrophysicist shares geeky visualisation</a>
Tesla needs new customers: globally, it posted a 13 per cent drop in first-quarter sales, its weakest performance in nearly three years, driven by a backlash against Musk&rsquo;s role in the Trump administration, rising competition and an aging product lineup, beyond the refreshed Model Y. The Kingdom, a major investor in Tesla rival Lucid, aims for 30 per cent EV adoption five years from now, up from about one percent last year.
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meet-timur-turlov-billionaire-who-sells-stocks-to-retail-investors-and-idolises-donald-trump-elon-musk-8934693">Meet THIS Billionaire who sells stocks to retail investors and idolises Donald Trump, Elon Musk, his net worth is...</a>
<h2 class="body-1 paragraph" data-aa-component="paragraph">Elon Musk and Saudi</h2>
Musk engaged in a high-profile feud with the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund over a potential investment nearly a decade ago, but relations between Riyadh and Musk have improved since he took a high-profile role in US President Donald Trump's election campaign and administration. Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks in his first foreign trip.
Local Tesla executives at the launch described plans to allow online ordering of vehicles, open pop-up stores in malls and to build Supercharger stations and service centers, but Musk did not show up in person or by video.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m honestly very disappointed I cannot see him,&rdquo; said fan Mohammed Usama, who said he was &ldquo;in love&rdquo; with the Cybertruck. &ldquo;I was very close to the stage, but unfortunately he didn&rsquo;t come.&rdquo;
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musk-openai-chatgpt-maker-countersues-elon-musk-sued-by-openai-for-waging-campaign-to-damage-company-8948917">Musk-OpenAI feud: ChatGPT maker countersues Elon Musk for waging 'campaign' to damage company</a>
Saudi has a long way to go to hit its EV goals. The country's main east-west highway does not have a single charging station in the 900-kilometer (559 mile) stretch linking the financial and religious cities of Riyadh and Mecca. Saudi Arabia in 2024 had just 101 EV charging stations, compared with 261 in neighboring United Arab Emirates, a country with a third the population, data from Statista based on Electromaps showed. Tesla plans to put its first charging stations in three cities. Rival EV brands like China's BYD (002594.SZ), opens new tab and Zeekr (ZK.N), opens new tab, along with the Saudi Public Investment Fund-backed Lucid, already have Saudi beachheads.
The feud between Musk and the governor of the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund began when Musk tweeted in 2018 that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private after a meeting with the fund. That led to a lawsuit from investors when a bid failed to materialize. "You are throwing me under the bus," Musk wrote in a text to fund chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan, according to court documents. Shortly after the U.S. presidential election, Trump, Rumayyan, and Musk were all pictured together sitting in ringside seats at an Ultimate Fighting Championship event in an early signal that relations had healed.
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/purple-is-not-real-it-is-only-a-pigment-of-your-imagination-8949548">Say What? Purple is not REAL. It is only a 'pigment' of your imagination</a>
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World, Business & Economy | Tesla officially launched in Saudi Arabia, marking a new chapter for the company after Elon Musk ’s troubled relationship with the kingdom

Tesla officially launched in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, marking a new chapter in the company’s global expansion after Elon Musk ’s troubled relationship with the kingdom. A Tesla Cybertruck and a redesigned Model Y sedan dominated a plaza dotted with palm trees, as the EV maker officially opened for business. A small crowd tried out the vehicles as a massive outdoor video screen showed a Cybertruck plowing through a dusky desert, leaving behind plumes of sand. Read More | How rich is Elon Musk? Astrophysicist shares geeky visualisation Tesla needs new customers: globally, it posted a 13 per cent drop in first-quarter sales, its weakest performance in nearly three years, driven by a backlash against Musk’s role in the Trump administration, rising competition and an aging product lineup, beyond the refreshed Model Y. The Kingdom, a major investor in Tesla rival Lucid, aims for 30 per cent EV adoption five years from now, up from about one percent last year. Read More | Meet THIS Billionaire who sells stocks to retail investors and idolises Donald Trump, Elon Musk, his net worth is... Elon Musk and Saudi Musk engaged in a high-profile feud with the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund over a potential investment nearly a decade ago, but relations between Riyadh and Musk have improved since he took a high-profile role in US President Donald Trump's election campaign and administration. Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks in his first foreign trip. Local Tesla executives at the launch described plans to allow online ordering of vehicles, open pop-up stores in malls and to build Supercharger stations and service centers, but Musk did not show up in person or by video. “I’m honestly very disappointed I cannot see him,” said fan Mohammed Usama, who said he was “in love” with the Cybertruck. “I was very close to the stage, but unfortunately he didn’t come.” Read More | Musk-OpenAI feud: ChatGPT maker countersues Elon Musk for waging 'campaign' to damage company Saudi has a long way to go to hit its EV goals. The country's main east-west highway does not have a single charging station in the 900-kilometer (559 mile) stretch linking the financial and religious cities of Riyadh and Mecca. Saudi Arabia in 2024 had just 101 EV charging stations, compared with 261 in neighboring United Arab Emirates, a country with a third the population, data from Statista based on Electromaps showed. Tesla plans to put its first charging stations in three cities. Rival EV brands like China's BYD (002594.SZ), opens new tab and Zeekr (ZK.N), opens new tab, along with the Saudi Public Investment Fund-backed Lucid, already have Saudi beachheads. The feud between Musk and the governor of the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund began when Musk tweeted in 2018 that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private after a meeting with the fund. That led to a lawsuit from investors when a bid failed to materialize. "You are throwing me under the bus," Musk wrote in a text to fund chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan, according to court documents. Shortly after the U.S. presidential election, Trump, Rumayyan, and Musk were all pictured together sitting in ringside seats at an Ultimate Fighting Championship event in an early signal that relations had healed. Read More | Say What? Purple is not REAL. It is only a 'pigment' of your imagination Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Elon Musk's Tesla launches in Saudi Arabia, first showroom opens in Riyadh

The number of countries that executed citizens for various crimes was the lowest at 15 in 2024, but the count of state executions globally rose to 1,518, marking a 32% increase over the previous year and the highest since the 2015 figure of 1,634, said Amnesty International in its annual report on the use of the death penalty.
The report, released on Tuesday (April 8), further cautioned that the real total is likely to be thousands more as its figure did not include the executions believed to have taken place in China, the world&rsquo;s biggest executioner, North Korea, and Vietnam.
More people were executed in 2024 due to a huge increase in executions in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Amnesty said that although the number of countries carrying out executions was the lowest on record, 1,518 executions globally in 2024 denoted a 32% increase over the previous year and the highest since the 1,634 carried out in 2015.
<h2>Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia carried out 91% of total executions</h2>
Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia accounted for 91% of state executions worldwide and were the main culprits for the increase. In Iraq, executions quadrupled from 16 to 63, and those in Saudi Arabia doubled in a year from 172 to 345. Iran executed at least 972, including 30 women, 119 more than in 2023, and accounted for 64% of the global total.&nbsp; While the executions in Iraq were for terrorism offences, about half of those in Iran were for drug-related crimes.
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 Other countries where executions increased were Egypt (from eight in 2023 to 13 last year); Singapore (from five to nine); and Yemen, where the count more than doubled from 15 to 38. Yemen was also among the top five countries responsible for executions. There were a total of 25 executions in the US, one more than in 2023 and the most since 2018, in what was Joe Biden&rsquo;s last year in office.&nbsp; Biden&rsquo;s successor, Donald Trump, has said he aims to &ldquo;vigorously pursue&rdquo; the death penalty as a tool to protect people &ldquo;from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters&rdquo;. Only 15 countries executed people in 2024, the lowest on record for the second year running, Amnesty said, adding that 113 countries were now fully abolitionist and 145 had abolished the death penalty in law or in practice.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-removal-of-witness-tree-200-year-old-magnolia-planted-by-andrew-jackson-cut-down-at-white-house-8937967" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump orders removal of White House 'witness tree': 200-year-old magnolia, planted by Andrew Jackson, cut down</a> The human rights NGO also noted that several countries had legally limited their use of the death penalty, and more than two-thirds of all UN member states had voted in favour of a resolution on a moratorium. Agn&egrave;s Callamard, Amnesty International&rsquo;s secretary general, said countries that retained the death penalty were an &ldquo;isolated minority&rdquo; as the tide was turning against &ldquo;a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment&rdquo;. But the death penalty is still being weaponised in some countries under the &ldquo;false pretence&rdquo; that it would improve public safety and in others to silence political dissent from &ldquo;those brave enough to speak out&rdquo;, Callamard added. More than 40% of executions in 2024 were for drug-related offences, which have no proven effect in reducing drug trafficking, Amnesty said.
<h2>Iran used death sentence to punish participants in 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests&nbsp;</h2>
Amnesty said Iran &ldquo;persisted&rdquo; in its use of death sentences to punish participants in the &ldquo;Women, Life, Freedom&rdquo; protests of 2022, including a youngster with a mental disability, following unfair trials and torture-tainted &lsquo;confessions&rsquo; and alone accounted for 64% of all known executions. Saudi Arabia continued to use the death penalty to silence political dissent and punish members of its Shiite minority, it added. &ldquo;Those who dare challenge authorities have faced the most cruel of punishments, particularly in Iran and Saudi Arabia,&rdquo; said Callamard. Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alien-enemies-act-trump-says-great-day-for-justice-after-us-top-court-lifts-order-barring-deportations-8937346" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alien Enemies Act: Trump says 'GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE' after US top court lifts order barring deportations</a> The NGO warned that the Maldives, Nigeria, and Tonga are considering introducing capital punishment for drug-related offences, while&nbsp;the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso have announced plans to bring back executions for ordinary crimes.

World: Only 15 countries executed people in 2024, the lowest on record for the second year running, Amnesty said, adding that 113 countries were now fully abolitionist and 145 had abolished the death penalty in law or in practice.

The number of countries that executed citizens for various crimes was the lowest at 15 in 2024, but the count of state executions globally rose to 1,518, marking a 32% increase over the previous year and the highest since the 2015 figure of 1,634, said Amnesty International in its annual report on the use of the death penalty. The report, released on Tuesday (April 8), further cautioned that the real total is likely to be thousands more as its figure did not include the executions believed to have taken place in China, the world’s biggest executioner, North Korea, and Vietnam. More people were executed in 2024 due to a huge increase in executions in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Amnesty said that although the number of countries carrying out executions was the lowest on record, 1,518 executions globally in 2024 denoted a 32% increase over the previous year and the highest since the 1,634 carried out in 2015. Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia carried out 91% of total executions Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia accounted for 91% of state executions worldwide and were the main culprits for the increase. In Iraq, executions quadrupled from 16 to 63, and those in Saudi Arabia doubled in a year from 172 to 345. Iran executed at least 972, including 30 women, 119 more than in 2023, and accounted for 64% of the global total. While the executions in Iraq were for terrorism offences, about half of those in Iran were for drug-related crimes. Also Read | Dangerous Mpox strain Clade 1b may be spreading undetected in UK: Report Other countries where executions increased were Egypt (from eight in 2023 to 13 last year); Singapore (from five to nine); and Yemen, where the count more than doubled from 15 to 38. Yemen was also among the top five countries responsible for executions. There were a total of 25 executions in the US, one more than in 2023 and the most since 2018, in what was Joe Biden’s last year in office. Biden’s successor, Donald Trump, has said he aims to “vigorously pursue” the death penalty as a tool to protect people “from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters”. Only 15 countries executed people in 2024, the lowest on record for the second year running, Amnesty said, adding that 113 countries were now fully abolitionist and 145 had abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. Also read: Trump orders removal of White House 'witness tree': 200-year-old magnolia, planted by Andrew Jackson, cut down The human rights NGO also noted that several countries had legally limited their use of the death penalty, and more than two-thirds of all UN member states had voted in favour of a resolution on a moratorium. Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary general, said countries that retained the death penalty were an “isolated minority” as the tide was turning against “a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment”. But the death penalty is still being weaponised in some countries under the “false pretence” that it would improve public safety and in others to silence political dissent from “those brave enough to speak out”, Callamard added. More than 40% of executions in 2024 were for drug-related offences, which have no proven effect in reducing drug trafficking, Amnesty said. Iran used death sentence to punish participants in 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests Amnesty said Iran “persisted” in its use of death sentences to punish participants in the “Women, Life, Freedom” protests of 2022, including a youngster with a mental disability, following unfair trials and torture-tainted ‘confessions’ and alone accounted for 64% of all known executions. Saudi Arabia continued to use the death penalty to silence political dissent and punish members of its Shiite minority, it added. “Those who dare challenge authorities have faced the most cruel of punishments, particularly in Iran and Saudi Arabia,” said Callamard. Also read: Alien Enemies Act: Trump says 'GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE' after US top court lifts order barring deportations The NGO warned that the Maldives, Nigeria, and Tonga are considering introducing capital punishment for drug-related offences, while the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso have announced plans to bring back executions for ordinary crimes.

State executions rise 32% to decade high; Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia behind ‘sharp surge’

Saudi Arabia has temporarily stopped issuing certain types of visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, just weeks before the annual Hajj pilgrimage begins.
The suspension, which affects Umrah, business and family visit visas, will stay in place until around mid-June, coinciding with the end of the Hajj season, which is scheduled for June 4&ndash;9 this year.
<h2>Who is affected?</h2>
Along with India, the visa pause also includes travellers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
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According to Pakistani broadcaster ARY, Saudi officials said travellers holding Umrah visas can still enter the country up until 13 April. After that, the restrictions will apply fully.
<h2>Why the ban?</h2>
The Saudi authorities have stated that the move is aimed at preventing people from joining the Hajj without proper authorisation. In the past, many foreign nationals entered the country on Umrah or visit visas and stayed illegally to take part in the pilgrimage. This bypassed the kingdom&rsquo;s strict quota system, which regulates how many pilgrims each country is allowed to send.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hajj-2025-saudi-arabia-bans-pilgrims-from-taking-their-children-along-8707786">Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia bans pilgrims from taking their children along</a>
Such unauthorised participation has contributed to overcrowding during Hajj, a serious issue, particularly in the intense summer heat. In 2024, at least 1,200 people were reported dead during the pilgrimage.
Officials also flagged concerns about foreigners using business or family visit visas to work illegally, which they say has caused disruptions in the local job market.
<h2>Not a diplomatic issue</h2>
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has clarified that the decision is not linked to diplomatic tensions but is purely logistical, aimed at keeping the pilgrimage safe and organised.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-iraq-pakistan-and-more-saudi-arabia-introduces-new-visa-rules-to-prevent-unauthorised-hajj-pilgrimage-8700335">'India, Iraq, Pakistan and more': Saudi Arabia introduces new visa rules to prevent unauthorised Hajj pilgrimage</a>
Travellers from the affected countries have been asked to follow the new guidelines, with authorities warning that anyone who breaks the rules could be banned from entering Saudi Arabia for five years.
Diplomatic visas, residency permits, and official Hajj visas are not included in the ban. Those with approved documentation for Hajj 2025 will still be able to travel as planned.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-women-need-permission-of-parents-or-husbands-to-perform-hajj-in-2025-8602523">Pakistani women need permission of parents or husbands to perform Hajj in 2025</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The suspension, which affects Umrah, business and family visit visas, will stay in place until around mid-June, coinciding with the end of the Hajj season, which is scheduled for June 4–9 this year. India news

Saudi Arabia has temporarily stopped issuing certain types of visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, just weeks before the annual Hajj pilgrimage begins. The suspension, which affects Umrah, business and family visit visas, will stay in place until around mid-June, coinciding with the end of the Hajj season, which is scheduled for June 4–9 this year. Who is affected? Along with India, the visa pause also includes travellers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco. Also read: What's on Trump's agenda as he plans to visit Saudi for his first foreign trip. Is it Israel, Ukraine or something else? According to Pakistani broadcaster ARY, Saudi officials said travellers holding Umrah visas can still enter the country up until 13 April. After that, the restrictions will apply fully. Why the ban? The Saudi authorities have stated that the move is aimed at preventing people from joining the Hajj without proper authorisation. In the past, many foreign nationals entered the country on Umrah or visit visas and stayed illegally to take part in the pilgrimage. This bypassed the kingdom’s strict quota system, which regulates how many pilgrims each country is allowed to send. Also read: Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia bans pilgrims from taking their children along Such unauthorised participation has contributed to overcrowding during Hajj, a serious issue, particularly in the intense summer heat. In 2024, at least 1,200 people were reported dead during the pilgrimage. Officials also flagged concerns about foreigners using business or family visit visas to work illegally, which they say has caused disruptions in the local job market. Not a diplomatic issue The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has clarified that the decision is not linked to diplomatic tensions but is purely logistical, aimed at keeping the pilgrimage safe and organised. Also read: 'India, Iraq, Pakistan and more': Saudi Arabia introduces new visa rules to prevent unauthorised Hajj pilgrimage Travellers from the affected countries have been asked to follow the new guidelines, with authorities warning that anyone who breaks the rules could be banned from entering Saudi Arabia for five years. Diplomatic visas, residency permits, and official Hajj visas are not included in the ban. Those with approved documentation for Hajj 2025 will still be able to travel as planned. Also read: Pakistani women need permission of parents or husbands to perform Hajj in 2025 (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia temporarily bans visas for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and 11 other countries - Here’s why

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