India, Saudi Arabia sign Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024

In a major diplomatic step, India and Saudi Arabia ratified the Bilateral Haj Agreement for the year 2024 on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with Minister of Minority Affairs Smriti Irani and Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in Jeddah.

Joint Secretary Nirupama Kotru, who accompanied Smriti Irani, was instrumental in enabling the agreement’s signature and reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to a robust bilateral relationship.

“Pleased to announce the formalisation of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 between India and Saudi Arabia. I, along with Hon’ble MoS for External Affairs, Shri @MOS_MEA, presided over the signing. Also engaged in productive discussions on matters of mutual interest with @tfrabiah, Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs,” Irani said in a post on social media platform X.

According to the agreement, India has been allocated a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2024. In addition, 1,40,020 seats are being reserved for pilgrims to proceed through Haj Committee whereas 35,005 pilgrims would be permitted to proceed through private operators.

According to Irani, the Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, had fruitful conversations with the Indian delegation during their visit. According to her, the discussions focused on a range of topics of shared interest and demonstrated both countries’ desire to enhancing diplomatic relations.

The group from Saudi Arabia conveyed their heartfelt gratitude for India’s excellent digital initiatives, especially in terms of giving Haj pilgrims vital last-mile information. It was also mentioned how India wants to promote women without Mehram to go on the Hajj, highlighting the country’s dedication to gender equality and inclusivity.

Plans for improving medical facilities to guarantee the overall health of pilgrims were also discussed.

“I deeply value the collaborative spirit exhibited during these deliberations and eagerly anticipate the continued fortification of our bilateral relations,” Irani said.

Later, Irani and Muraleedharan went to the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah’s Haj Terminal to supervise the pilgrims’ arrangements and look into methods to improve logistics and monitoring systems for their comfort.

On the margins of the bilateral agreement signing, they also had separate 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).

(With agency inputs)