This refers to the front-page story “Envoy: KSA consulate in Hyderabad soon.” I was delighted to read that Saudi Ambassador to India Dr. Saud Mohammed A. Al-Sati on his recent visit to my native place Hyderabad has confirmed that the Kingdom is actively pursuing the establishment of a consulate in Hyderabad. The ambassador also called on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. During the meeting, the envoy was assured of full state support, including prime land to construct the consular building.
It was really good o hear that Saudi Arabia was making all efforts to set up the consulate to meet the rising demand from a large number of migrants from Andhra Pradesh to the Kingdom. Ambassador’s visit to Hyderabad will hopefully further strengthen Kingdom’s ties with this important Indian state and produce some fruitful results in future.
This move will also bring a big relief for thousands of the pilgrims who travel to Saudi Arabia for Haj and Umrah every year. It would be worth mentioning here that an estimated 400,000 people from the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, majority of them from the capital city of Hyderabad, and surrounding districts are employed in Saudi Arabia. After the establishment of new consulate in Hyderabad people will not need to travel to the Saudi Consulate in Mumbai or the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi to get their visas.
Zakaira Sultan
Riyadh
Consulate in Hyderabad
