India and Saudi Arabia have signed the bilateral Haj Agreement for 2027, allowing 1,75,025 Indian pilgrims to perform Haj next year. The agreement was signed in Jeddah during Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, following a meeting with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. Both sides reviewed preparations for Haj 2027 and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a safe, smooth and well-organized pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims.

During the discussions, the two ministers focused on strengthening bilateral coordination, improving logistics, and enhancing facilities for pilgrims throughout the Haj season. Saudi Arabia allocates Haj quotas to countries based on their Muslim population and the capacity of the holy sites in Makkah. India’s Haj quota has steadily increased over the years, rising from 1,36,020 in 2014 to 1,75,025, reflecting growing cooperation between the two countries in Haj management.

Besides signing the agreement, Kiren Rijiju attended the 6th Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, met senior Saudi officials, and reviewed Haj 2027 preparations with Indian authorities. He thanked the Saudi leadership for its continued support towards Indian pilgrims and highlighted the strong partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. The visit also included meetings with members of the Indian community, further reinforcing bilateral ties in pilgrimage management, cultural exchange and people-to-people relations.