In a significant step to revive post-pandemic and post-conflict tourism flows, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a free 30-day e-tourist visa and group tourist visa for Russian citizens during a joint press briefing with President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi. The announcement followed the 23rd Annual India–Russia Summit, where both nations signed 16 agreements spanning defence, energy, trade, health, and cultural cooperation.
Tourism revival emerged as a key highlight of the summit, with Modi underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections as a diplomatic bridge. “Very soon we are going to introduce a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens,” he stated, linking the move to India’s wider agenda of manpower mobility, skilling, and economic partnership.
Russian tourist arrivals to India, which had touched 187,000 in 2019, plummeted to under 60,000 by 2024 due to the Ukraine conflict and soaring airfares exceeding ₹1 lakh. With Aeroflot restoring the Delhi–Moscow route and more flights under consideration, officials now anticipate an additional 100,000 Russian tourists by FY 2026–27. Tourism leaders and hotel associations across Goa, Kerala, and the Himalayas have welcomed the policy as a potential game changer, expecting a 20–30% rise in winter bookings.
The single-entry visas, to be issued at no cost through India’s official e-visa portal, will require return tickets, valid passports, and proof of funds. Overstays will continue to attract immigration penalties, while business and medical visas remain excluded from the waiver. President Putin expressed appreciation for the “close working dialogue” between the two nations, calling the initiative a people-centric step amid challenging geopolitical times.
Industry experts forecast rising interest from Siberian and Ural regions, where yoga, Ayurveda, and spiritual wellness tourism remain popular. By removing visa fees, the policy is expected to inject millions into local tourism economies and strengthen longstanding cultural bonds. The move complements the Vision 2030 roadmap announced at the summit, targeting USD 100 billion in bilateral trade and cooperation in critical minerals, defence co-production, nuclear energy, and Arctic projects.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that the new visa facility will go live soon on the e-visa portal. This progressive measure reflects India’s commitment to global harmony, intercultural understanding, and people-first diplomacy, resonating with Prime Minister Modi’s message of unity, peace, and cooperation on the global stage.
