India and Saudi Arabia officially signed a bilateral agreement on Monday for the 2027 Haj pilgrimage, which will allow 175,025 Indians to perform the annual pilgrimage. The Indian Consulate General in Jeddah shared this important update. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, held a high-level bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia Minister of Haj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah prior to signing the historic agreement.
According to an official statement issued by the consulate, both ministers thoroughly reviewed the preparations for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage, while they also discussed various measures to further strengthen bilateral coordination and logistical support, reiterating their shared commitment to ensuring a completely safe, smooth, and convenient travel experience for all Indian Haj pilgrims.
Significant Growth in India Haj Quota
Data provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs indicates that India's total Haj quota has witnessed a steady increase over the past several years. In the year 2014, the quota stood at 136,020, which eventually rose to 175,025 by the year 2025. On top of that, the quota has been maintained at this exact level for both the current year and the upcoming year. Joint Secretary for Haj Mohammed Afzal accompanied Minister Kiren Rijiju on this official visit to Saudi Arabia from November 6 to November 9.
During the course of his visit, Kiren Rijiju actively participated in the inaugural ceremony of the 6th Haj Conference and Exhibition held in Jeddah. On this significant occasion, he strongly reiterated India unwavering commitment toward the welfare of Haj pilgrims and the successful organization of the pilgrimage events.
Appreciation of Saudi Leadership and Strategic Partnership
Sharing his thoughts through a post on the social media platform X, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the partnership between India and Saudi Arabia has been further reinforced with a shared commitment to the welfare of pilgrims and the successful execution of the pilgrimage. India Consul General in Jeddah Fahad Suri and Joint Secretary for Haj Mohammed Afzal were also present alongside the minister during these engagements.
As part of his itinerary, Kiren Rijiju also took part in an official meeting of heads of delegations from various nations on Sunday. This high-profile meeting was chaired by Saudi Arabia Minister of Haj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. According to the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, Rijiju highly praised the continuous and dedicated efforts made by the Saudi leadership toward the welfare of Haj pilgrims throughout the ministerial conference.
High-Level International Consultations
During the summit, Minister Kiren Rijiju also attended a crucial ministerial meeting alongside Makkah Region Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and other visiting ministers from across the globe, while this bilateral agreement between India and Saudi Arabia stands as a clear testament to the deepening bilateral ties and strong future cooperation between the two nations, ensuring smooth travel provisions for Indian citizens.