India, Saudi Arabia vow to make Haj process convenient, seamless

India and Saudi Arabia have vowed to work together to make the Haj process as convenient and as seamless as possible with best provision of services for pilgrims.

New Delhi: Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani met with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Haj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah on Tuesday, and both countries vowed to collaborate to make the Haj process more convenient and seamless for pilgrims. Irani emphasized the government's commitment to making Haj inclusive and accessible to all segments of society.

Discussions on Further Strengthening Cooperation

During a joint press statement with Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Irani stated that the two nations had productive discussions on deepening their engagement and cooperation, particularly concerning Haj. She highlighted the importance of providing the best possible services to all Haj pilgrims.

Irani expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia's assistance in ensuring the smooth conduct of Haj, particularly in 2023, when nearly 47% of Indian pilgrims were women, including around 4,000 women who traveled under the "Lady without Mahram" category. She emphasized the government's commitment to making Haj inclusive and accessible to all, especially women and differently-abled individuals.

Saudi Arabia's Efforts to Enhance Umrah Experience

In his press statement, the Saudi minister outlined the Kingdom's efforts to transform Umrah into a rewarding religious journey through technological advancements, enhanced measures, and upgraded infrastructure as part of Saudi Vision 2030. He mentioned that individuals seeking to perform Umrah can now obtain a Kingdom entry visa within 48 hours, and Indian travelers can perform Umrah using their work, tourism, or Umrah visas.

Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah also highlighted the option for Indians traveling to the West or the Middle East to obtain a 96-hour stopover visa, allowing them to perform Umrah and visit any city in the Kingdom. He emphasized that the Umrah visa is valid for 90 days and allows holders to reside and travel within the Kingdom, ensuring an efficient and convenient pilgrimage experience.

Increasing Number of Umrah Pilgrims from India

The Saudi minister noted the significant increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims from India, surpassing 1.2 million in 2023, marking a 74% increase compared to 2022. He expressed commitment to exploring options for enhancing the range of direct flight options between the two nations to accommodate the growing number of Indians wishing to perform Umrah.

Appreciation for Successful Haj Arrangements

During the occasion, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan expressed appreciation to the Saudi leadership and authorities for the successful Haj arrangements for Indian pilgrims earlier this year. He acknowledged the close and friendly relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people ties in strengthening bilateral relations.

Strengthening Ties Between India and Saudi Arabia

Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, where they discussed the smooth facilitation of the Haj pilgrimage by Indian nationals and explored avenues for further deepening ties between the two countries.

The meeting between the Indian and Saudi ministers reflects their commitment to enhancing cooperation on Haj and Umrah, ensuring a seamless and convenient pilgrimage experience for pilgrims from India.