On Wednesday, the kingdom halted the umrah pilgrimage for its own citizens and residents. The move came after authorities last week suspended visas for the umrah and barred citizens from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council from entering Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia on Thursday declared three new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of reported infections to five.
Forward bookings for the upcoming busy summer season are down at least 20% year on year, senior executives at airlines and travel companies said. The Indian government also cancelled all visas issued to Iraninan nationals and all foreigners who visted Iran after February 1 this year.
The two sides signed a record number of 12 agreements across sectors including medicine and diplomatic academies. Riyadh has emerged as a key partner for India with Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Salman opening new doors of opportunities.
The ‘religion’ was good at building bonds within professional communities – the military, the business community, civil servants – which helped build the institutions the Raj needed to develop.
Expanding its global footprint, HDFC Bank has opened a branch in Dubai to provide wealth management services to large Indian diaspora in the Gulf city.
Vacant religious sites. Abandoned pilgrim tents. Lifeless hotels. A stunning emptiness – and fears of economic ruin – haunt the usually bustling city of Mecca after Saudi authorities curtailed the hajj pilgrimage over coronavirus.
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