At PM Modi’s request, Saudi Crown Prince orders release of 850 Indian prisoners

External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also announced an increase in the quota for Indian Haj pilgrims to 2 lakh from the present 1.75 lakh.

Coinciding with the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday ordered release of 850 Indian prisoners lodged in its jails.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a banquet hosted, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on February 20. (PTI Photo)

External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the decision was taken on the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Another big deliverable! At the request of the PM, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has ordered the release of 850 Indian prisoners lodged in Saudi jails,” he said in a tweet.

He said Prince Mohammed has also announced an increase in the quota for Indian Haj pilgrims to 2 lakh at the request of Prime Minister Modi. The present quota is about 1.75 lakh.

During his visit to Pakistan two days back, Prince Mohammed had agreed to release over 2,000 Pakistani prisoners in Saudi jails.