The effect of the current international situation and rising inflation is now clearly visible from the lives of common people to religious pilgrimages. This year, the pilgrims going on Haj pilgrimage have suffered a big financial blow. Due to America-Israel’s war with Iran, the cost of Haj pilgrimage has increased even more than before.

According to a report released by Semaphore on Wednesday (May 20), due to reduced capacity of flights across the Persian Gulf and disruption in supply routes, prices of travel packages have increased by three or four times even before the start of the journey. Let us tell you that in view of this annual journey to Mecca, the governments of many countries including Indonesia, Pakistan and Malaysia have started subsidy schemes to help in reducing the increased expenses for the pilgrims.

How much has the cost of Hajj increased?
Talking about the per capita expenditure for Haj pilgrimage in the last 3 years, the average per capita expenditure in 2023 was Rs 3.25 lakh, which increased to Rs 3.35 lakh in 2024. The average per capita expenditure in 2025 was Rs 3.40 lakh and now in the year 2026 it has increased to more than Rs 3.74 lakh.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, as the nodal ministry for Haj in India, has made extensive arrangements for Haj pilgrims in coordination with the Haj Committee of India, other Central Ministries, State Governments and Saudi authorities. The aim of these efforts is to ensure smooth logistics arrangements and better facilities at the ground level for Haj pilgrims.

When will Hajj pilgrimage start?
Haj pilgrimage of 2026 from India is going to start from 18th April. The first batch of Haj pilgrims will leave for Saudi Arabia from many places across the country. The Modi government at the Center has also ensured insurance coverage of approximately Rs 6,25,000 for each Haj pilgrim, which will strengthen financial and health security during the Haj pilgrimage.

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Chinese Ambassador to India Shoo Faihong has said that two big emerging economies of Asia, India and China should strongly oppose any type of tariff and trade war and maintain multilateral trade system. During a conversation with the media, he said, “History cannot be changed, but we can change the future.

Tariff and trade war stance
Shoo Faihong said, “We should support the same and well -organized multi -polar world and beneficial global economic system for all. Any type of tariff and business should oppose war and protect the shared interests of developing countries.”

He described the 50% tariffs imposed by the US on India as ‘inappropriate and incompatible’ and said that the US has been benefiting from free trade for a long time, but is now trying to recover the price by using tariffs as a weapon.

Peace and global responsibility
Talking about China-India relations and world situation, Shoo Faihong said that the world has entered a new disturbance and change, where humanity has to choose from peace and war, dialogue and conflict, cooperation and competition. He told both countries that they should show global vision and responsibility and contribute to world peace, shared development and global rule reform.

“India and China should strongly oppose any type of tariff and trade war” – Shoo Faihong

Chinese Ambassador to India, Shoo Faihong, said in a seminar organized on the 80th anniversary of the winning of World War II, “- is beneficial for the uniform and systematic multipolar world and everyone… pic.twitter.com/fhxpbjinxt

– RT Hindi (@RT_Hindi_) September 8, 2025

India-China relations and trade
Shoo Faihong said that trade relations between India and China have strengthened and this year the bilateral trade reached $ 88 billion in the first seven months, which increased by 10.5% compared to the previous year. He said that China is ready to increase coordination in development strategies with India and share modernization experiences.

Visa and cultural exchange
He informed that this year, diplomatic missions of China issued more than 2,40,000 visas to Indian citizens. In addition, China resumed Indian pilgrimage for Tibet’s Congress and Jasham Yuko, while India started issuing tourist visas for Chinese citizens.