Muslim pilgrims walk past the Kaaba, a cubical building near the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. FILE | Photo credit: AP
Prevailing tensions in West Asia, which continue despite a fragile truce between the United States and Iran, will not deter Indian pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj season in Saudi Arabia, officials in New Delhi said on Friday (Apr 17, 2026). The first batch of Haj pilgrims this year will depart on April 18 from various embarkation points in India, said Aseem Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf).
Mr. Mahajan said 1.75 million pilgrims are expected to undertake the Hajj in Saudi Arabia in the coming season, which runs until the end of May. “Our embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah have coordinated with the Ministry of Minority Affairs and relevant Saudi authorities, including the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. They are operationally ready to receive the pilgrims,” Mr Mahajan said.
Published – 17 Apr 2026 15:37 IST
