In a significant development, India and Saudi Arabia have inked a bilateral agreement for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2024. The formal signing took place in Jeddah, with Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan representing India, and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan signing on behalf of the Kingdom.
According to the official statement, the bilateral Haj agreement allocates a total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for Haj 2024 from India. Within this allocation, 1,40,020 seats are reserved for pilgrims proceeding through the Haj Committee, while 35,005 pilgrims have the opportunity to proceed through private operators.
Minister Smriti Irani expressed her pleasure at the formalization of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 and shared insights from the signing ceremony on social media. She highlighted the productive discussions with Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan, including appreciation for India’s digital initiatives in providing last-mile information to pilgrims. The proposal to encourage the participation of women without Mehram in the Haj pilgrimage was emphasized, underscoring India’s commitment to inclusivity.
The Saudi delegation acknowledged India’s exceptional digital initiatives, particularly those facilitating essential information for pilgrims. Minister Irani emphasized the collaborative spirit during the deliberations and the commitment to fortify bilateral relations. Discussions included plans for enhancing medical facilities to ensure the comprehensive well-being of all pilgrims.
During the meeting, India’s digital initiatives received significant appreciation from the Saudi side for promoting ease and convenience for Haj pilgrims. The Gulf Kingdom offered its support and assistance, highlighting the importance of India’s contributions to the well-being of pilgrims. The initiative of encouraging the participation of women without Mehram (Ladies without Mehram – LWM) in the Haj pilgrimage was discussed and deeply appreciated.
Following the signing ceremony, Minister Irani and Minister Muraleedharan visited the Haj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Their objective was to oversee the arrangements for pilgrims and explore ways to facilitate better logistics and monitoring mechanisms for their convenience.
The Indian delegation also held meetings with Prof. Dr. Ali Erbas, President of the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) in Turkiye, and Dr. Hj. Na’im bin Hj. Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs), on the sidelines of the signing of the bilateral agreement. Discussions with Prof. Ali Erbas focused on shared growth, stronger India-Turkiye bilateral ties, and insights on Haj management and adoption of best practices for an enhanced pilgrimage experience.
Experiences on Haj management and administration were shared during the meetings, fostering an exchange of ideas on best practices with respective counterparts. The scope for digital initiatives, setting up and enhancing robust medical facilities for pilgrims, and measures for the care and facilitation of women pilgrims were particularly discussed.
The collaborative spirit demonstrated during the deliberations reflects the commitment to ensuring the maximum benefits from the adoption of best practices for Haj pilgrims. The visit further strengthens the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, positioning Haj as a vital dimension in this relationship.
Minister Smriti Irani’s two-day visit, in addition to the Haj-related discussions, includes engagements with the Indian business community and the Indian community in Saudi Arabia. On the agenda is her participation in the opening ceremony of the 3rd Edition of the ‘Haj and Umrah Conference’ in Jeddah, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah Affairs.
The deepening Indo-Saudi partnership in recent years, marked by sustained engagement across various sectors, attests to the strengthening strategic ties between the two nations. The collaborative efforts, particularly in the context of the Haj pilgrimage, emphasize inclusivity, digital advancements, and prioritizing the well-being of pilgrims.
