An Indian delegation, led by Union Minister Smriti Irani, traveled to Madina as part of a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia. The delegation included Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and other senior officials. They met with Indian volunteers who provide service to Indian Haj and Umrah pilgrims. Irani shared photos from her visit, highlighting the historic and cultural significance of the places they visited. It is important to note that non-Muslims were not allowed to visit Madina until 2021. The visit came after India and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral agreement allocating a quota of 175,025 pilgrims for this year’s annual Haj pilgrimage. The visit is expected to provide insight into the arrangements required for the upcoming pilgrimage. The Government of India expressed its commitment to providing facilities and services to Indian Muslims undertaking the Haj pilgrimage and appreciated the special gesture of Saudi’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.