Saudi crown prince’s visit: Hajj quota increased by 25000

New Delhi: At India’s request, Saudi Arabia decided to increase Haj quota for India to two lakh from the present 1.75 lakh. In return, India has also decided to extend e-visa facilities to Saudi nationals. Ministry of External Affairs announced this after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in New Delhi.

This is the third hike in three years. Now 2 lakh pilgrims from the country can perform the pilgrimage to Makkah. Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi informed that the hike in Hajj quota will be effective from this year.

According to MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, the Saudi Crown Prince announced the increase in quota at the request of Prime Minister Modi. Hailing the decision Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi thanked the Prime Minister, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the crown prince, and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.