India, Saudi Arabia Sign Haj Agreement, Over 1.75 Lakh Pilgrim Quota Set For This Year
Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani accompanied by MoS for External Affairs V Muraleedharan signed the agreement with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan on Sunday.
New Delhi: India and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral agreement under which New Delhi has been allocated a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for this year’s annual Haj pilgrimage.
Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan in Jeddah on Sunday.
According to an official statement, 1,40,020 seats have been reserved for pilgrims to proceed through the Haj Committee of India which will greatly benefit the common first-time pilgrims whereas 35,005 pilgrims would be permitted to proceed through Haj Group Operators.
Taking to social media platform X, Smriti Irani said, "Pleased to announce the formalisation of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 between India and Saudi Arabia. I, along with Hon'ble MoS for External Affairs, Shri @MOS_MEA, presided over the signing. Also engaged in productive discussions on matters of mutual interest with @tfrabiah, Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs."
Pleased to announce the formalisation of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 between India and Saudi Arabia.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 7, 2024
I, along with Hon'ble MoS for External Affairs, Shri @MOS_MEA, presided over the signing. Also engaged in productive discussions on matters of mutual interest with… pic.twitter.com/xU6eIlnzHB
"The Saudi delegation expressed sincere appreciation for India's exceptional digital initiatives, particularly in providing essential last-mile information to pilgrims. Our proposal to encourage participation of women without Mehram in Haj pilgrimage further underscores our commitment to inclusivity," she further stated.
She stated that discussions also encompassed plans for the enhancement of medical facilities, ensuring the comprehensive well-being of all pilgrims. "I deeply value the collaborative spirit exhibited during these deliberations and eagerly anticipate the continued fortification of our bilateral relations," she added.
"During the meeting with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, KSA, the digital initiatives of the Government of India in facilitating and promoting ease and convenience for the Indian Haj pilgrims by providing last mile information to the pilgrims were greatly appreciated by the KSA side and KSA offered to extend all possible help in this regard. The initiative of the Government of India towards encouraging participation under the Ladies without Mehram (LWM) category was discussed, deeply appreciated and lauded," the statement said.
After the meeting, Smriti Irani accompanied by Muraleedharan visited the Haj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, to oversee the arrangements for Haj pilgrims and explore ways to facilitate better logistics and monitoring mechanisms for the convenience of the Indian Haj pilgrims.
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