NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- India on Tuesday announced a reduction in airfare for minority Muslims who wish to go on Haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

"The decision is in line with our empowerment without appeasement policy," Indian Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told the media.

The reduction in airfare will be available to Muslim pilgrims taking airlines like national carrier Air India, Saudi Airlines and Flynas, another Saudi carrier, from 21 airports in India.

In January the Indian government scrapped subsidies for Muslims going to Haj pilgrimage in accordance with a Supreme Court order some six years back.