Haj agreement 2020 signed by Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi at Jeddah

Jeddah: Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Hon’ble Minister for Minority Affairs of the Government of India, is on a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia leading a high-level delegation for signing of India-Saudi Arabia bilateral agreement on Haj-2020 arrangements for Indian pilgrims on 01 December 2010. Hon’ble Minister is accompanied by Shri Jan-e-Alam, Additional Secretary (Haj) in the Ministry of Minority Affairs; Shri Sheikh Jina Nabi, Acting Chairman of Haj Committee of India; Shri Satyendra Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Civil Aviation; Dr. Maqsood Ahmad Khan, CEO in Haj Committee of India; Shri Nijamuddin, Director (Haj) in Ministry of Minority Affairs; Shri Sunil Gautam, Private Secretary to the Minister Jeddah; Shri Rambabu, Chief General Manager (Haj Operations) in Air India, Shri Ibrahim Kolsawala, Representative of Haj Group Organizers. The delegation from India is joined by Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia; Shri Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh, Consul General of India in Jeddah and  Shri Y. Sabir, Consul (Haj).
• India-Saudi Bilateral Agreement on Haj-2020 Arrangements was signed today. From the Indian side, the Agreement was signed by Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Hon’ble Minister for Minority Affairs while from the Saudi side the Agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Mohammad Saleh Bin Tahir Bantan, Minister of  Hajj & Umrah.
• The Indian delegation led by Minister of Minority Affairs met with the Saudi side led by Saudi Minister of  Hajj & Umrah. The two sides had a fruitful discussion on the whole gamut of issues related to Indian Haj pilgrims and Haj pilgrimage. Hon’ble Minister of Minority Affairs conveyed Government of India’s appreciation for the excellent arrangements made by the Kingdom for Hajj-2019. He also reiterated India’s gratitude for the extraordinary support provided to all Indian agencies involved in making arrangements for Indian Haj pilgrims.
• Prior to the above meeting, an Official-level meeting led by Ambassador of India from the Indian side and Dr. Abdul Fattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat, Deputy Minister, from the Saudi side was held at Saudi Haj Ministry at Jeddah. Deliberations in the meeting included all aspects of Haj arrangements, including accommodation, transport, air charter, facilities in Mashaer region, etc. as well as various measures undertaken to facilitate  pilgrimage of Haj pilgrims, in particular Indian pilgrims.
• Another  meeting was held between Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India from the Indian side and GACA from the Saudi side in which various aspects of Haj Air Charter operations were discussed. • Officials from the Indian delegation will also meet with officials of Naqabah Satyyarat tomorrow during which Agreement for various  transport services for Indian pilgrims will be signed. A meeting with the South Asian Moassassa is also scheduled to discuss about various services provided by the Moallims, particularly in the Masher region ,  for the pilgrims • As you may be aware, we have started preparations for Haj-2020. We have already received a large number of applications for performing Haj through Haj Committee of India.