India is set to launch a free 30-day e-tourist visa for Russian citizens. Group tourist visas will also be introduced simultaneously. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this after his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House on Friday. He said this step is aimed at boosting tourism.
Regarding the free tourist visa, Modi said that the goal is to develop the tourism industry of both countries and strengthen relations between the people. E-tourist visas and group tourist visas for Russian citizens will be launched very soon. There will be no processing fee for this. It is believed that the launch of this free visa will make cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries easier.
Millions of Indians had travelled to Russia in October to participate in the International Buddhist Forum in Kalmykia. On this day, PM Modi also stated that millions of devotees received the blessings of Lord Buddha's relics at the International Buddhist Forum in Kalmykia. This has further strengthened the cultural bonds between the two countries.
The Prime Minister also conveyed a message of peace regarding the Ukraine conflict on this day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that India is not neutral. Rather, India is on the side of peace.
Significantly, Delhi has been stating since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war that India stands for peace. In PM Modi's underlined that, "The world should return to peace, and we support every effort towards peace. India is not neutral; India is on the side of peace. India–Russia relations should grow and touch new heights."
