New Delhi: India has secured Saudi Arabia’s agreement to permit 10,000 Indian pilgrims — out of approximately 52,000 travelling with private tour operators — to perform this year’s Haj, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said at a briefing on Saturday. He added that New Delhi “remains in touch for any further measures” the Saudis may take, signalling hope that more pilgrims could be accommodated.Under current arrangements, India’s total Haj quota is 1,75,000. Of these, 1,22,000 slots are managed by the ministry of minority affairs through the Haj Committee of India, while 53,000 are allotted to Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) — 26 private tour entities formed from over 800 operators. The reopening of Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk portal allows CHGOs to finalise arrangements for 10,000 pilgrims based on available space in Mina.New Delhi intervened after CHGOs missed Saudi timelines for contracting Mina camps, accommodation and transport — despite repeated reminders. The Saudi haj ministry, citing safety concerns following a deadly accident last year and the extreme summer heat in densely packed ritual sites, has not extended deadlines for any country, Misri said.India has directed all CHGOs to complete their formalities “urgently” to enable the first batch of 10,000 pilgrims. Misri noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is due in Riyadh next week on an official visit, will raise the matter directly with Saudi leadership. “The Haj pilgrimage is an important issue bilaterally,” he said, adding that both sides would discuss ways to expand the pilgrim quota. Earlier this week, India expressed its appreciation for any gesture by Saudi authorities to accommodate additional pilgrims.
Source link
