Union Minister Smriti Irani attends Haj and Umrah conference in Saudi Arabia

Jeddah: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Smriti Irani on Tuesday attended the inaugural session of the third Haj and Umrah Conference here and discussed with Deputy Governor of Makkah Region and Minister of Haj and Umrah the scope for further close cooperation to improve facilities and services for the Indian pilgrims.

Irani, also serving as the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, was accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan.

The session provided valuable insights on the best global practices and facilitated the exchange of ideas and information which would prove useful in improving the Haj experience for Indian pilgrims, a statement from the Ministry of Minority Affairs said.

"Discussion also held with Deputy Governor of Makkah Region and Minister of Haj and Umrah, KSA, on the scope for further close cooperation to improve facilities and services for Indian pilgrims during Haj 2024," the statement said.

"Grateful for the gracious invitation extended by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah Affairs @HajMinistry, underscoring the significance of our shared values. Had an insightful meeting with H.R.H. Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, and H.E. @tfrabiah, Minister of Haj and Umrah, KSA. Discussed enhancing facilities and services for Indian Haj pilgrims during Haj 2024," Irani said in a post on X.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐣 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐡.

Grateful for the gracious invitation extended by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Affairs @HajMinistry,… pic.twitter.com/tBUto6YuQz

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 9, 2024

Irani also travelled to Madinah city - one of Islam's holiest cities - on Monday.

India and Saudi Arabia share warm and cordial ties and the Government of India deeply appreciates the special gesture of Saudi's Ministry of Haj and Umrah in facilitating this visit of the Indian delegation to Madinah, the statement added.

On Sunday, India and Saudi Arabia signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 under which New Delhi has been allocated a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2024.