New Delhi: India and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral settlement below which New Delhi has been allotted a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for this yr’s annual Haj pilgrimage.
Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani accompanied by Minister of State for Exterior Affairs V Muraleedharan signed the Bilateral Haj Settlement 2024 with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan in Jeddah on Sunday.
In response to an official assertion, 1,40,020 seats have been reserved for pilgrims to proceed via the Haj Committee of India which can tremendously profit the frequent first-time pilgrims whereas 35,005 pilgrims could be permitted to proceed via Haj Group Operators.
Taking to social media platform X, Smriti Irani mentioned, “Happy to announce the formalisation of the Bilateral Haj Settlement 2024 between India and Saudi Arabia. I, together with Hon’ble MoS for Exterior Affairs, Shri @MOS_MEA, presided over the signing. Additionally engaged in productive discussions on issues of mutual curiosity with @tfrabiah, Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Affairs.”
Happy to announce the formalisation of the Bilateral Haj Settlement 2024 between India and Saudi Arabia.
I, together with Hon’ble MoS for Exterior Affairs, Shri @MOS_MEA, presided over the signing. Additionally engaged in productive discussions on issues of mutual curiosity with… pic.twitter.com/xU6eIlnzHB
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 7, 2024
“The Saudi delegation expressed honest appreciation for India’s distinctive digital initiatives, significantly in offering important last-mile data to pilgrims. Our proposal to encourage participation of ladies with out Mehram in Haj pilgrimage additional underscores our dedication to inclusivity,” she additional said.
She said that discussions additionally encompassed plans for the enhancement of medical amenities, guaranteeing the excellent well-being of all pilgrims. “I deeply worth the collaborative spirit exhibited throughout these deliberations and eagerly anticipate the continued fortification of our bilateral relations,” she added.
“In the course of the assembly with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, KSA, the digital initiatives of the Authorities of India in facilitating and selling ease and comfort for the Indian Haj pilgrims by offering final mile data to the pilgrims had been tremendously appreciated by the KSA aspect and KSA provided to increase all attainable assist on this regard. The initiative of the Authorities of India in direction of encouraging participation below the Women with out Mehram (LWM) class was mentioned, deeply appreciated and lauded,” the assertion mentioned.
After the assembly, Smriti Irani accompanied by Muraleedharan visited the Haj Terminal of King Abdulaziz Worldwide Airport, Jeddah, to supervise the preparations for Haj pilgrims and discover methods to facilitate higher logistics and monitoring mechanisms for the comfort of the Indian Haj pilgrims.