India & Saudi Arabia Sign Haj Agreement 2024, enhancing cultural and diplomatic ties
| 2024-01-08
Union Minister Smriti Irani with Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah in Jeddah on January 7,2024
The agreement sets a total quota of 175,025 pilgrims from India for Haj 2024
At the crossroads of tradition and diplomacy, Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs Smriti Irani, along with Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, led a delegation to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to sign the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024. The signing ceremony took place on Sunday (January 7, 2023), marking a pivotal moment in the India-Saudi Arabia partnership.
According to information released by India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs, the agreement, which sets a total quota of 175,025 pilgrims from India for Haj 2024, aims to facilitate a smooth and organized pilgrimage experience. Of these, 140,020 seats have been reserved for pilgrims proceeding through the Haj Committee of India, significantly benefiting first-time pilgrims, while the remaining 35,005 will be allocated to pilgrims traveling through Haj Group Operators.
During her visit, Minister Irani engaged in a bilateral meeting with Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah to discuss mutual interests related to the forthcoming Haj. The discussions underscored the digital initiatives by the Government of India, aimed at enhancing ease and convenience for Indian Haj pilgrims. The Saudi side appreciated these efforts and offered support to further these initiatives.
Minister Irani also attended the opening ceremony of the 3rd Edition of the 'Haj and Umrah Conference' in Jeddah on January 8, 2024, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah Affairs. This conference symbolizes the deepening Indo-Saudi partnership, characterized by sustained engagement across various sectors.
In addition to the official engagements, the delegation met with the Indian business community and the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia. Minister Irani’s productive dialogues with Saudi and Indian business professionals included the significance of maintaining the trajectory of economic ties in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Union Minister Irani and MoS Muraleedharan also visited Al-Balad, Jeddah's historic area, which holds the essence of Saudi Arabia's rich past. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the vibrant cultural heritage of Jeddah.
Ahead of the visit, Minister Irani met with Saudi Ambassador to India Saleh Eid Al Husseini to discuss enhancing ties between New Delhi and Riyadh and building a robust partnership for shared progress and prosperity.
The visit by the Indian delegation, culminating in the signing of the Bilateral Haj Agreement, is a testament to the growing strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, with Haj as a vital dimension in this relationship. The agreement not only facilitates religious pilgrimage but also strengthens the cultural and diplomatic bonds between the two nations.
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