India and Saudi Arabia sign bilateral Haj 2027 agreement in Jeddah

Officials from India and Saudi Arabia gathered in Jeddah on Monday to finalise and sign a formal bilateral agreement concerning the annual Islamic pilgrimage. The pact was signed by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah following a bilateral meeting, according to the Indian Consulate in Jeddah.

The formal accord maintains India's pilgrim allocation at 1,75,025 individuals for the 2027 pilgrimage cycle. This allocation matches previous figures provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, ensuring that capacity remains steady for travellers departing from the subcontinent.

India Saudi Arabia ties strengthened during ministerial visit

During the visit, which spanned from November 6 to 9, the Indian delegation engaged in several high-level discussions. Minister Rijiju was accompanied by Joint Secretary for Haj, Mohammad Afzal. On Sunday, the Indian minister participated in the inaugural event of the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah and joined a ministerial meeting chaired by his Saudi counterpart.

Discussions between the two delegations centred on reviewing ongoing preparations, improving logistical support, and enhancing bilateral coordination. Both sides emphasised their dedication to maintaining a secure and comfortable journey for all participants.

The formal agreement allows 1,75,025 Indian citizens to undertake the annual pilgrimage.

Throughout the diplomatic tour, Rijiju met with local officials, including Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region. The minister also interacted with members of the diaspora and local residents during a festive gathering at India House in Jeddah, while simultaneously chairing review sessions with representatives from the Indian Consulate, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Haj Committee of India.

Why it matters

The formalisation of the pilgrimage terms guarantees that the allocation for Indian travellers remains secure, providing certainty for thousands of citizens planning to visit the holy sites. The ongoing cooperation between New Delhi and Riyadh ensures streamlined logistics, health measures, and crowd management for all participating nations.

By establishing clear operational frameworks well in advance, both governments aim to prevent logistical bottlenecks and safeguard the welfare of foreign visitors throughout the multi-day religious observance.