Saudi Arabia hosts first Indian non-Muslim delegation to Madinah

New Delhi: A historic event that demonstrated the increasing trust between Saudi Arabia and India occurred when the first non-Muslim Indian delegation travelled to Madinah. Smriti Irani, the Union Minister, and V Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs, were part of the group.

"Undertook a historic journey to Madinah, one of Islam’s holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam. The significance of the visit to these sites courtesy Saudi officials, intertwined with early Islamic history, underscores the depth of our cultural and spiritual engagement," said Minister Irani, the New Indian Express reported.

The delegation travelled on a high-speed Harmain Train to Madinah. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah arranged the visit. It should be remembered that Dr Tawifiq Al Rabiah, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, travelled to India last month.

"This delegation's visit to Madinah indicates the high level of mutual trust and confidence between India and Saudi Arabia and is a major diplomatic development," said Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Indian pilgrims spend about eight days in Madinah on their Hajj and Umrah, praying forty times in the Prophet's Mosque. The Prophet spent ten years staying and praying in this mosque, which also houses his ultimate resting place, making it the second most significant mosque in Islam.

There have been other high-level visits over the past year, such as Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who arrived in India in September on a state visit. Over ten ministerial trips to Saudi Arabia have occurred from the Indian side.

The visit is part of an ongoing diplomatic mission, in which Saudi Arabia and India signed a bilateral agreement for the 2024 Hajj, marking a significant milestone.