Saudi Arabia deported most Indians in five years
New Delhi | Desk: Saudi Arabia has deported the highest number of Indian citizens over the past five years, according to figures shared by the central government, even as discussions intensify around possible large-scale deportations of Indians from the United States following President Donald Trump’s return to power and his crackdown on illegal immigration.
The central government clarified in Parliament that between 2021 and 2025, Saudi Arabia deported the highest number of Indian citizens. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, data from the Indian mission in Riyadh shows that 8,887 Indian citizens were sent back from Saudi Arabia in 2021, 10,277 in 2022, 11,486 in 2023, 9,206 in 2024, and 7,019 so far in 2025.
In comparison, the number of Indians deported from the US has been significantly lower. According to the US Indian mission, the highest number of Indians were deported from Washington in the last five years: 805 in 2021, 862 in 2022, 617 in 2023, 1,368 in 2024, and 3,414 so far in 2025.
Indians were also deported from San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, Houston, and Chicago, although the numbers from these cities were generally less than 500.
Besides Saudi Arabia and the US, Indian citizens have also been deported from countries like Malaysia, Myanmar, the UAE, Bahrain, Thailand, and Cambodia. In most cases, the action was taken due to the expiry of visas, work permits, or violations of local labor laws.
Relations between India and Saudi Arabia are generally considered friendly. Recently, Saudi Arabia also initiated mediation efforts during the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. However, a defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan was later discussed, which the Saudi government clarified was not aimed against India.
Government figures indicate that Gulf countries continue to maintain strict measures against illegal immigration and visa violations, while the number of Indians deported from the United States has remained relatively low.
(Symbolic Photo)
