India far behind Pakistan in Hajj permits for private operators. Will PM Modi raise quota cut issue with Saudi Crown Prince?

While the new norms introduced by Saudi Arabia have deprived over 42,000 Indian Muslims of the chance to perform Umrah, it is expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take up the issue with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. The Prime Minister will leave for the Kingdom on Tuesday for a two-day visit. 

 

The focal areas of the bilateral meetings will be the India Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and energy cooperation between the countries, among other projects. However, the Prime Minister will also take up the Haj quota cut issue with Saudi authorities, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. 

 

Saudi Arabia has allocated a total of 1,75,024 permits for Indians. Out of these, 70 percent (1,22,517) was allocated to State Hajj Committees while the remaining 30 per cent  (52,507) were set aside for private players. However, the Kingdom revised norms and policies, leaving private players unable to fulfil the contract obligations Mina camps, accommodation, and transport—crucial components for Hajj arrangements on time.

 

The Centre approached the Saudi authorities on behalf of the Combined Hajj Group Organisers (CHGOs). Following this, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj consented to reopen the Nusuk portal for an additional 10,000 Indians.

 

Even with this number, only 10 per cent of those who applied via private players will be able to make it.  

 

Many political parties and state leadership had approached the Centre seeking talks with the Saudi leadership so that more Muslims can offer pilgrimage this year. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri too told reporters that the issue would be highlighted as it comes under the purview of bilateral relations while thanking the Kingdom for allotting 10,000 permits. Misri called it a result of India's sustained effort over a decade.

 

Ironically, the private sector in Pakistan got almost double what India got. According to Karachi-based Dawn Newspaper, 23,620 pilgrims will be allowed to perform Haj under the private Haj scheme,  while over 90,000 people will perform Haj under the government’s scheme. Though Pakistan too faced a quota cut, leaving over 67,000 people disappointed. 

Middle East