New Delhi: This monumental accord was signed by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani and Shri. V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, alongside H.E. Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, KSA, solidifies the pilgrimage quotas and logistical arrangements for the Haj 2024 pilgrimage.

A total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalized for Haj 2024. Notably, 1,40,020 seats have been exclusively reserved for pilgrims to embark through the Haj Committee of India, a move anticipated to benefit first-time pilgrims aspiring to undertake the sacred journey significantly.
Additionally, 35,005 pilgrims can proceed through Haj Group Operators, broadening the avenues for pilgrimage facilitation.

During the discussions, the KSA side commended the Indian government’s digital initiatives to provide crucial last-mile information to the pilgrims, ensuring enhanced ease and convenience throughout their pilgrimage. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed willingness to extend all possible support in this regard, signifying a collaborative effort between the two nations to streamline pilgrimage logistics.

Furthermore, the Indian government’s initiative to encourage participation under the Ladies without Mehram (LWM) category garnered appreciation and applause during the discussions, highlighting a progressive step toward inclusivity in pilgrimage facilitation.

Following the signing of the Bilateral Haj Agreement, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani and Shri. Muraleedharan inspected the Haj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. This visit aimed to oversee the logistical arrangements for Haj pilgrims and explore avenues to enhance logistics and monitoring mechanisms, ensuring a seamless and convenient pilgrimage experience for Indian Haj pilgrims.