Jeddah, May 25 (Arab News): Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid arrived in Jeddah last night on a four-day visit to hold wide-ranging talks with Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.
The discussions will be held today in Jeddah during separate meetings with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Labor Minister Adel Fakeih.
High on the agenda will be the Saudi government’s labor law reforms and their impact on tens of thousands of Indian expatriate workers.
An estimated 75,000 Indians face deportation over the next one-and-a-half months. Ten Indian officials have been dispatched to the Kingdom to help the Indian missions prepare emergency certificates for their exit.
“I urge the Indian community to utilize the grace period effectively,” said Khurshid, noting that “Indians have registered with the Indian missions for exit permits as they have no valid travel documents.”
Khurshid said he is also going to request an increase in the Haj quota for Indian pilgrims.