In a significant development for Indian nationals undertaking Hajj, Saudi Arabia has unveiled a series of measures, including expediting visa issuance within 48 hours and introducing a 96-hour stopover visa.
During a joint briefing with Union Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in New Delhi, Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj & Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, announced that Indian citizens can now undertake Umrah on various visas, including those for business, tourism, and Umrah.
Al-Rabiah detailed that Indians traveling to the West or the Middle East can secure a 96-hour stopover visa within the ticket issuance process, enabling them to perform Umrah and visit any city within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also highlighted that the Umrah visa, valid for 90 days, allows holders to reside in and explore any Saudi Arabian city.
The minister noted a remarkable surge in Umrah pilgrims from India, surpassing 1.2 million in 2023, marking a 74% increase from the preceding year. Talks between the two nations are ongoing to expand direct flight options to accommodate the growing number of Indian pilgrims. Plans include introducing new scheduled flights through Saudi low-cost airlines, Flynas, and Flyadeal, in addition to opening three new visa centers in India.
Following a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Al-Rabiah focused on ensuring smooth Hajj pilgrimage facilitation for Indian nationals and strengthening bilateral ties.
During Al-Rabiah's visit, the Haj Committee of India aims to discuss the enhancement of India’s Hajj pilgrimage quota. The 2023 Hajj quota saw around 1,75,000 Indians traveling to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage – one of Islam's five pillars. Munawari Begum, vice-president of the Haj Committee of India, emphasized the need to raise the quota from 1,75,025 to at least 2,00,000.
Irani highlighted the substantial participation of women in the 2023 Hajj, with nearly 47% of Indian pilgrims being women, including close to 4,000 women under the ‘Lady without Mahram’ category. The government is committed to inclusivity, especially for women and physically-challenged individuals during Hajj.
Muraleedharan underscored the importance of Al-Rabiah's visit in ensuring a smooth Hajj 2024, given the significant role of the Hajj pilgrimage in the India-Saudi Arabia bilateral relationship.
Al-Rabiah's official visit to India is part of a global effort to strengthen collaboration and streamline the Umrah journey for international pilgrims. The visit aligns with Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving Umrah pilgrims and achieving objectives outlined in 'Saudi Vision 2030,' aimed at improving procedures, services, and plans for hosting pilgrims and Umrah performers.
