Expressing gratitude towards Saudi Arabia, Sushma Swaraj says “Thank You for increasing Haj quota in India”
Riyadh, February 8: “Massive number of Muslims from India visit Saudi Arabia every Haj and Umrah. Once again I thank your majesty for increasing the Haj quota for India in 2017,” delightly said External Affairs Minister EAM Sushma Swaraj during her 3 day visit to Saudi Arabia. India is the ‘Guest of Honour’ country at this year's National Heritage and Culture festival in Janadriya village where EAM Sushma Swaraj led the Indian delegation at the festival.
EAM Sushma Swaraj expressed gratitude towards Kingdom for increasing Haj quota for India last year.
"A large number of my Muslim brothers and sisters from India visit Saudi Arabia every year for Haj and Umrah pilgrimage. Once again I thank your majesty for increasing the Haj quota for India in 2017 and also for the special arrangements and care given to the pilgrims," EAM Sushma Swaraj said at the inaugural ceremony of the National Heritage and Culture Festival representing the 'Guest of Honour' country in Riyadh.
Sushma Swaraj also visited India pavilion at the Al National Heritage and Culture Festival in Riyadh. The two-week long festival that began in is the biggest cultural festival of the Gulf that celebrates the culture and heritage of Saudi. Sushma Swaraj Swaraj was accompanied by the King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudthe and the Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.
Further, Sushma Swaraj also highlighted that "the linkages between the two countries date back to several millennia and have been nurtured by socio-economic interactions and people to people contacts."
"Over 3 million Indians reside in Saudi Arabia contributing to the development of economic prosperity of the kingdom," Swaraj added. Believing that the festival will boost mutual ties EAM Swaraj noted that India's participation at the National Heritage and Culture Festival “provides an opportunity to showcase our strong bilateral relationship.”
32Nd edition of National Heritage and CultureFestival will witness astounding facets of Indian culture. Indian Pavilion provided a glimpse of socio-cultural heritage, folklore, traditional costumes, Indian perfumes, bridal costumes, artefacts, calligraphy and food during festival.