Haj 2024: India and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral settlement underneath which New Delhi has been allotted a quota of greater than 1.75 lakh pilgrims for the 2024 annual Haj pilgrimage.
Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan in Jeddah.
1,75,025 pilgrims finalised for Haj 2024
According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, a complete quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalised for Haj 2024 with 1,40,020 seats being reserved for pilgrims to proceed by way of the Haj Committee of India which can enormously profit the widespread first-time pilgrims aspiring to undertake the Haj pilgrimage in 2024 whereas 35,005 pilgrims could be permitted to proceed by way of Haj Group Operators.
“Pleased to announce the formalisation of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 between India and Saudi Arabia. I, together with Hon’ble MoS for External Affairs, Shri @MOS_MEA, presided over the signing. Also engaged in productive discussions on issues of mutual curiosity with @tfrabiah, Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs,” Irani mentioned in a submit on X.
She mentioned the Saudi delegation expressed honest appreciation for India’s distinctive digital initiatives, significantly in offering important last-mile info to pilgrims. “Our proposal to encourage the participation of women without Mehram in the Haj pilgrimage further underscores our commitment to inclusivity,” she added.
She mentioned that discussions additionally encompassed plans for the enhancement of medical amenities, making certain the great well-being of all pilgrims. “I deeply value the collaborative spirit exhibited during these deliberations and eagerly anticipate the continued fortification of our bilateral relations.”
India’s digital initiatives appreciated by Saudi
During the assembly, India’s digital initiatives in facilitating and selling ease and comfort for the Haj pilgrims had been enormously appreciated by the Saudi facet and the Gulf Kingdom provided to increase all doable assist, the ministry mentioned in a press release. “The initiative of the Government of India towards encouraging participation under the Ladies without Mehram (LWM) category was discussed, deeply appreciated and lauded,” it added.
Subsequent to the signing of the Bilateral Haj Agreement and the assembly with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Smriti Irani accompanied by Muraleedharan visited the Haj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to supervise the preparations for Haj pilgrims and discover methods to facilitate higher logistics and monitoring mechanism for the comfort of the Indian Haj pilgrims.
The Indo-Saudi partnership has deepened lately, marked by sustained engagement throughout varied sectors. The go to will additional strengthen the strategic partnership inserting Haj as a significant dimension in this relationship, the assertion mentioned.
