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Opens the app if installed, or Google Play to download it.India and Saudi Arabia on Monday signed a bilateral agreement for Haj 2027, allowing 175,025 Indian pilgrims to undertake the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah said.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah before signing the agreement.
According to the Indian Consulate, the two ministers reviewed preparations for Haj 2027 and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral coordination and logistical support. They also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a safe, smooth and comfortable pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia determines annual Haj quotas for different countries to manage the number of pilgrims visiting Mecca, taking into account the limited capacity and facilities at the holy sites. The allocations are generally based on each country’s Muslim population and are decided in consultation with the respective governments.
India’s Haj quota has increased over the years, rising from 136,020 in 2014 to 175,025 in 2025, according to the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The quota has remained unchanged for 2026 and 2027.
Rijiju, accompanied by Joint Secretary (Haj) Mohammad Afzal, visited Saudi Arabia from November 6 to 9.
On Sunday, the minister attended the inaugural ceremony of the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah and participated in a ministerial conference chaired by Al Rabiah. He conveyed India’s appreciation for the Saudi leadership’s continued efforts towards pilgrims’ welfare and reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to close cooperation for Haj 2027.
Rijiju also joined visiting ministers in an interaction with Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region.
In a post on X, Rijiju said his visit was aimed at strengthening the India-Saudi Arabia partnership, with a shared focus on pilgrims’ welfare and the successful organisation of Haj 2027.
During the visit, he also attended the Noor-e-Diwali celebration at India House in Jeddah, where he interacted with Saudi friends and members of the Indian community in western Saudi Arabia.
The minister further chaired a review meeting with officials from the Indian Consulate, the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India to assess preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage. He appreciated the coordinated efforts of the officials and other stakeholders.
The Indian Consulate said the visit had further strengthened the longstanding partnership between the two countries, particularly in Haj management, pilgrims’ welfare, cultural exchange and people-to-people ties.
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