Kiren Rijiju visited Saudi Arabia from 11th to 14th January, 2025

KirenRijijuvisited Saudi Arabia from 11^th January, 2025 to 14^th January, 2025. The visitentailed importantengagements pertaining to the preparations for the forthcomingHaj 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 theMinister and the Saudi Minister of Hajj &Umrah H.E. Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan AlRabiah on 13^th January, 2025 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 4^th 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.