Overview

• Saudi Arabia has abruptly canceled 80% of India's private Hajj quota, affecting approximately 52,000 pilgrims, many of whom have already paid for the pilgrimage.
• The Saudi Hajj Ministry has reopened its portal to allow an additional 10,000 Indian pilgrims, following discussions with the Indian government.
• The Indian Ministry of Minority Affairs attributes the loss of over 52,500 slots to private tour operators failing to meet critical Saudi deadlines for finalizing contracts.
• Political leaders, including Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and MK Stalin, have called on the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with Saudi authorities for further resolution.
• The Indian government continues to prioritize facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage, but space and safety constraints in Mina remain key challenges.