Kiren Rijiju Arrives in Jeddah for Bilateral Haj Agreement Signing and Review of Haj 2026 Preparations

Nov 2025 : Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to participate in the signing of the Bilateral Haj Agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and review the preparations for Haj 2026. His visit marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation and ensuring smooth arrangements for Indian pilgrims undertaking the annual pilgrimage.

Rijiju was accorded a warm welcome at the airport by India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, and the Consul General of India in Jeddah, Fahad Suri. Sharing an update on 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 Suhel Ajaz Khan, Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia, and Shri Fahad Suri, Consul General of India, Jeddah.”

The annual Bilateral Haj Agreement forms the backbone of coordinated planning between the two nations, covering aspects such as pilgrim quotas, accommodations, transport, medical facilities, and administrative support. Rijiju’s visit underscores India’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience for its pilgrims.

Earlier in July, the Ministry of Minority Affairs formally announced the commencement of the Haj 2026 application process, opening a new opportunity for thousands of Indian Muslims to fulfil their spiritual aspirations. According to the Ministry’s notification, applications for Haj 2026 were invited through the online Haj Application Form available on the official website (hajcommittee.gov.in) and through the ‘Haj Suvidha’ mobile application for both Android and iOS users. The application window remained open from July 7 to July 31, 2025.

Applicants were advised to thoroughly read the guidelines and undertakings before submitting their forms. The Ministry also emphasised that all intending pilgrims must possess a machine-readable Indian passport issued on or before the application deadline and valid at least until December 31, 2026.

The Haj Committee further urged applicants to assess their readiness carefully before applying, noting that cancellations — except in cases of death or severe medical emergencies — could attract penalties or financial loss. This advisory aims to reduce last-minute withdrawals and streamline the allocation process.

Over the past decade, the Government of India has undertaken sustained efforts to make the Haj pilgrimage more transparent, uniform, cost-effective, and safe. The Indian Haj Mission, the largest government-operated initiative of its kind outside India, has worked closely with Saudi authorities to enhance logistics, accommodations, and overall coordination, ensuring a spiritually enriching journey for Indian pilgrims.

Rijiju’s visit to Jeddah continues this tradition of collaboration, marking another step toward strengthening India–Saudi Arabia ties and ensuring improved arrangements for Haj 2026.