India secures quota of 175,025 pilgrims under Hajj 2027 agreement
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India and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement on Monday allocating 175,025 places to Indian pilgrims for Hajj 2027, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah said.
The agreement followed talks between India’s Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
The ministers reviewed preparations for next year’s pilgrimage and discussed strengthening coordination and logistical support to ensure Indian pilgrims can perform Hajj safely and comfortably.
The signing on November 9 concluded Rijiju’s four-day official visit to Saudi Arabia. He was accompanied by Mohammad Afzal, Joint Secretary for Hajj at India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs.
On November 8, Rijiju attended the opening ceremony of the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition and participated in a ministerial conference chaired by Al-Rabiah.
He expressed India’s appreciation for the Saudi leadership’s commitment to pilgrims’ welfare and pledged continued cooperation on Hajj 2027 arrangements.
Rijiju also joined other visiting ministers for an interaction with Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region.
During the visit, he chaired a meeting with officials from the Indian consulate, Ministry of Minority Affairs and Haj Committee of India to assess preparations. He praised the coordinated work of the organisations involved.
At India House in Jeddah, Rijiju attended the Noor-e-Diwali celebration and met Saudi friends and members of the Indian community in western Saudi Arabia.
The consulate said the visit strengthened the longstanding bilateral partnership, including cooperation on Hajj management, pilgrims’ welfare, cultural exchange and people-to-people ties.