India Secures Quota of 1.75 Lakh Pilgrims for Haj 2027
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Saudi Haj Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah sign bilateral agreement in Jeddah, reaffirming cooperation to ensure a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage for Indian devotees.
NEW DELHI, Nov 9: India and Saudi Arabia on Monday signed a bilateral agreement for Haj 2027, allocating a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for the annual religious pilgrimage to Mecca.
The agreement was signed in Jeddah following a bilateral meeting between Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah. Rijiju is on an official visit to the Kingdom from November 6 to 9.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, the two ministers reviewed preparations for Haj 2027 and discussed ways to improve coordination, logistical arrangements and support facilities for Indian pilgrims.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to ensuring a safe, convenient and comfortable pilgrimage experience for devotees travelling from India.
Haj is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey. The pilgrimage takes place annually in Mecca during the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar and involves several religious rituals over five to six days.
Saudi Arabia determines the annual number of pilgrims permitted from different countries, taking into account the capacity of facilities and available space at the holy sites. The allocations are generally linked to the Muslim population of each country and finalised in consultation with the respective governments.
India’s Haj quota has witnessed an increase over the years, rising from 1,36,020 in 2014 to 1,75,025 in 2025. The allocation has remained unchanged for 2026 and 2027.
During his visit, Rijiju attended the inauguration of the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah on Sunday. He also participated in a ministerial conference chaired by Al Rabiah, where discussions focused on preparations and arrangements for the upcoming pilgrimage.
The Union Minister conveyed India’s appreciation for the Saudi leadership’s continued efforts towards the welfare of pilgrims and reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation for Haj 2027.
Rijiju also participated in an interaction with Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, along with other visiting ministers.
In a post on X, Rijiju said his visit was aimed at further strengthening the India-Saudi Arabia partnership, with particular emphasis on pilgrims’ welfare and the successful organisation of Haj 2027.
As part of his engagements, the minister attended the Noor-e-Diwali celebration at India House in Jeddah, where he interacted with Saudi nationals and members of the Indian community residing in western Saudi Arabia.
He also chaired a review meeting involving officials from the Indian Consulate, the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India to assess the progress of preparations for the next pilgrimage.
Rijiju appreciated the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders involved in the arrangements and stressed the importance of effective planning and cooperation.
The Indian Consulate said the visit had further strengthened the longstanding partnership between the two countries, particularly in Haj management, pilgrims’ welfare, cultural exchange and people-to-people relations.
