Saudi may increase Indian haj quota

New Delhi, Oct 23: Saudi Arabia is expected to increase the Haj quota for Indians by 10,000 seats from the 100,000 seats last year, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed today said.

According to Mr Ahamed, Saudi Arabia has taken a ''sympathetic view'' of India's request for grant of an additional quota of 10,000 seats for the pilgrimage this year.

''Saudi Arabia is likely to take a favourable decision in this respect,'' Mr Ahamed told reporters.

Private tour operators had sent another 48,000 Indian pilgrims to Mecca last year.

UNI