Prime Minister Modi said the government will launch both a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian nationals.
In a bid to deepen people-to-people ties and boost travel links, India will soon offer Russian citizens a free 30-day e-tourist visa. The announcement came during a joint press conference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi, following their bilateral talks.
The move aims to make it easier for Russian travellers to visit India for leisure, education, or cultural exchange.
Prime Minister Modi said the government will launch both a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian nationals. He noted that the initiative will eliminate processing fees for applicants.
He added, “Manpower mobility will create new opportunities for the people of both countries.” The visa scheme is part of a broader effort to open up India’s tourism and cultural sectors to Russian citizens.
This new visa policy will make it simpler and more affordable for Russians to travel to India. It encourages tourism, cultural exchange, and educational visits. For Russia, it opens up India’s diverse landscapes, heritage sites, spiritual centres, and cultural festivals. For India, it brings in more foreign visitors and strengthens bilateral goodwill.
Modi also mentioned that the plan supports wider cooperation between the two countries in areas like vocational education, skilling, and training. This suggests that the visa facility could eventually support academic exchanges, training programs, and cultural delegations — not just holiday tourism.
During the press meet, Modi highlighted recent cultural ties between the two nations. He pointed out that earlier this year, millions of devotees in Russia received blessings from sacred relics of Lord Buddha during an International Buddhist Forum.
He also said that India and Russia will work to increase exchanges in education and sports. More students, scholars, and athletes will be able to travel between the countries under the relaxed visa framework. Such moves aim to deepen long-term ties beyond tourism.
“As friends of the world,” Modi stressed, “we want more youth, more students, more players, more scholars to come and go freely between our nations.”
Once implemented, Russian travellers will be able to apply online for the e-tourist visa. There will be no processing fee. The visa will allow a stay of up to 30 days, suitable for vacations, pilgrimages, cultural tours, or educational visits.
The group tourist visa will permit organised travel groups to enter India under a simplified process — useful for tour operators, student delegations, cultural troupes, and more.
Indian authorities will likely update the visa portal soon, with clear guidelines on application, entry rules, and duration.
This visa move comes at a time when both countries are keen to expand ties beyond traditional sectors like energy or defence. It signals a shift toward people-centric diplomacy — focusing on tourism, culture, education, and human exchange.
By easing travel norms, India gives a clear message: it values Russian visitors and wants to welcome them. For Russia, it reinforces faith in India as an open, friendly destination.
The announcement also offers Indians a chance to strengthen people-to-people bonds: students, cultural groups, athletes, and professionals can now expect easier movement between the two nations.
