Kiren Rijiju Reaches Saudi Arabia To Sign Bilateral Haj Agreement And Review 2026 Preparations

Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday to participate in the signing of the Bilateral Haj Agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to review preparations for Haj 2026.

Rijiju received a warm welcome from the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, and the Indian Consul General in Jeddah, Fahad Suri.

Sharing his arrival on the social media platform X, the minister wrote, “Landed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Bilateral Haj Agreement signing with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to review preparations for Haj 2026. Warmly received at the airport by Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia, Shri Fahad Suri, Consul General of India, Jeddah.”

Preparations for Haj 2026 Underway

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Minority Affairs opened applications for Haj 2026, inviting intending pilgrims to apply online via the Haj Committee of India’s official website and the ‘Haj Suvidha’ mobile application, available for iOS and Android devices. The application period ran from July 7 to July 31, 2025.

Officials emphasised that applicants must hold a machine-readable Indian passport issued on or before the application deadline, valid until at least December 31, 2026. The ministry also urged applicants to carefully review guidelines and commitments, noting that cancellations—except in cases of death or serious medical emergencies—could incur penalties and financial loss.

Over the past decade, the Indian government has focused on making the Haj pilgrimage transparent, cost-efficient, safe, and spiritually fulfilling.

The Indian Haj Mission, the largest government-operated initiative of its kind outside India, has been working closely with Saudi authorities to ensure smooth logistics and the successful implementation of new initiatives.

The Bilateral Haj Agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia in managing Haj operations, enhancing safety, and improving the overall experience for Indian pilgrims. With the preparations for Haj 2026 already underway, Rijiju’s visit underscores India’s commitment to supporting the spiritual aspirations of thousands of Muslim citizens while fostering international collaboration.

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