New Delhi: The Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs KirenRijijuvisited Saudi Arabia 5. The visit entailed important engagements pertaining to the preparations for the forthcoming Haj pilgrimage.
This included the signing of the Bilateral Agreement for Haj 2025; attending the inaugural session of the Hajj &Umrah Conference and Exhibition; and bilateral meetings with Saudi dignitaries.
During the visit, the Union Minister also reviewedthe arrangements being made forthe Indian Haj pilgrims at Jeddah and Madinah.
The Bilateral Agreement for Haj-2025 defining the broad contours of the Haj pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims was signed between the Minister and the Saudi Minister of Hajj &Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan AlRabiah at Jeddah, as per which a quota of 1,75,025 has been earmarked for India.
The Union Minister attended the inaugural session of the 4th edition of the Hajj &Umrah Conference and Exhibition organised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj &Umrah at Jeddah. This international conference is organised annually and includes sessions and workshops by key decision makers, experts and researchers in the Haj &Umrah services sector and offers insights on the best practices and facilitates exchange of ideas and information.
Rijiju met the Saudi Minister of Hajj &Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah and discussed the preparations for Haj-2025 and agreed to further strengthen mutual cooperation in order to ensure a safe, comfortable and fulfilling experience for the Indian Haj pilgrims.
The Ministeralso met Saleh bin Nasser Al Jassar, the Saudi Minister for Transport & Logistic Services at Riyadh and discussed avenues for further streamlining the transport and logistic services for the Indian Haj pilgrims.
He also had a bilateral meeting with HRH Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud, Deputy Governor of the Madinah Province. During the meeting they discussed arrangements for the Indian Haj pilgrims during their stay in Madinah.