India, Saudi Arabia Sign Haj Agreement for 2024, Allocating 1,75,025 Pilgrims Quota

India and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral agreement for the 2024 Haj pilgrimage, allocating India a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims. The agreement was signed in Jeddah by Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan.

In a significant development, India and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral agreement for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2024. The agreement was signed in Jeddah by Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, along with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan.

Haj Quota and Allocation

Under the agreement, India has been allocated a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for the 2024 Haj pilgrimage. Out of this quota, 1,40,020 seats have been reserved for pilgrims to proceed through the Haj Committee, while 35,005 pilgrims will be permitted to travel through private operators.

Appreciation for India's Digital Initiatives

During the signing ceremony, the Saudi delegation expressed appreciation for India's exceptional digital initiatives in facilitating the Haj pilgrimage. These initiatives include providing essential last-mile information to pilgrims, ensuring transparency, and enhancing the overall convenience of the pilgrimage process.

Encouraging Women's Participation

India's proposal to encourage the participation of women without Mehram (male guardian) in the Haj pilgrimage was also discussed and appreciated by the Saudi delegation. This proposal underscores India's commitment to inclusivity and gender equality.

Discussions on Enhancing Medical Facilities

Discussions between the Indian and Saudi delegations also encompassed plans for enhancing medical facilities and ensuring the comprehensive well-being of all pilgrims. Both sides agreed to explore avenues for improving healthcare services and providing better medical support to pilgrims during the Haj.

Visit to Haj Terminal and Bilateral Meetings

Following the signing ceremony, Irani and Muraleedharan visited the Haj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. They inspected the arrangements for pilgrims and explored ways to facilitate better logistics and monitoring mechanisms for their convenience.

Additionally, Irani and Muraleedharan held separate bilateral meetings with Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, President of the Directorate of Religious Affairs Diyanet in Türkiye, and Dr. Hj. Na'im bin Hj. Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Islamic Affairs.

Exchange of Ideas and Best Practices

During these meetings, experiences on Haj management and administration were shared, and there was an exchange of ideas on best practices. The discussions focused on digital initiatives, setting up robust medical facilities, and measures taken for the care and facilitation of women pilgrims.

Strengthening the Indo-Saudi Partnership

Irani's visit to Saudi Arabia and the signing of the bilateral agreement reflect the deepening partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. The visit aims to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, with Haj playing a vital role in this relationship.