SRINAGAR: India and Saudi Arabia have formally signed the bilateral Hajj Agreement for 2026, fixing India’s quota at 175,025 pilgrims for the annual pilgrimage. The agreement was inked in Jeddah during Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju’s visit from November 7 to 9, following his meeting with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that 175,025 Indian pilgrims will be able to undertake Hajj in 2026, terming it “a significant step in deepening the India–Saudi Arabia ties”. “Our discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to ensure a safe, seamless and spiritually fulfilling journey for all Hajj pilgrims,” Rijiju said on X (formerly Twitter). Indian officials and Saudi authorities discussed ongoing preparations, focusing on improving transport, accommodation and healthcare arrangements in Saudi Arabia to enhance the pilgrimage experience.
According to DD News, the Indian quota will be distributed amongst the Hajj Committee of India (HCoI) and registered private tour operators (HGOs), as per existing policy, with 70 per cent allocated to HCoI and 30 per cent to HGOs. Within the HCoI share, quotas will be divided among states and union territories in proportion to their Muslim population, and remaining seats will be allotted via a draw of lots. The agreement also addresses mechanisms for timely payments, logistics management, and further modernisation of pilgrimage infrastructure.
Rijiju, who led a high-level delegation including Aseem R Mahajan (Additional Secretary, Gulf) and Ram Singh (Joint Secretary, Hajj), reviewed readiness at several key sites, including Terminal 1 and Haramain Station in Jeddah and Taif. He also praised the coordination between Indian missions in Saudi Arabia and local authorities for ensuring the welfare of pilgrims.
