The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has recently launched a smart phone mobile application called “MEAIndia,” expanding its digital footprint and allowing its nationals a means to stay connected to their homeland.

Available for free download from Apple and Android app stores, users can access a range of information and services, including information regarding Haj, passport and visas services, details of Indian missions overseas, India’s foreign policy initiatives and official visits.

Users can track the status of their passport applications and receive answers to any of their queries.

Surinder Bhagat, spokesperson of the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, told Arab News on Tuesday, “All public services rendered by MEA can now be accessed through this one simple means. Whether it be information on passport status, documents attestation or pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Haj, this ‘one-stop solution’ will provide all one needs to know,” he said.

He highlighted that the Indian Embassy’s website has crossed one million hits since its re-launch at the end of 2011 and has been quite beneficial for those seeking information, proving particularly useful during recent months for disseminating information to members of the Indian community living in the Kingdom.

Bhagat added that the website enhanced the outreach of the Indian Embassy and people residing in far off places in the Kingdom, allowing them to receive the latest updates from the embassy.

The 1.4-million-strong Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia constitutes not only the largest expatriate group in the Kingdom but also the largest concentration of Indian passport holders anywhere in the world.

He said that it has been the endeavor of the Indian Embassy to utilize social media tools for better serving the community.

“We wish to improvise the means of service delivery to the Indian community and are open to any suggestions or comments from Indians residing in the Kingdom to enhance the efficacy and effectiveness of the website,” Bhagat maintained.

He said that the embassy also has a Facebook page whose link is available on the homepage of the embassy website.

Members of the Indian community are requested to view it and offer their comments or suggestions about it, he added.

“MEAIndia” is now available for download at the App and Google Play Store on:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/meaindia/id673095668?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mea