In a significant diplomatic move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the imminent launch of a complimentary e-visa program for Russian citizens during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. The landmark initiative, set to commence operations shortly, will eliminate all processing fees for both individual travelers and tourist groups seeking to visit India.
The newly established electronic visa system promises expedited processing within a 30-day timeframe, substantially streamlining entry procedures for Russian nationals. This hospitality enhancement coincides with President Putin’s first state visit to New Delhi since Russia’s military engagement in Ukraine commenced in 2022, signaling strengthened bilateral relations despite international pressures.
Both nations concurrently agreed to diversify their economic engagement beyond traditional sectors of oil and defense equipment. The announcement comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States regarding punitive tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, partially motivated by New Delhi’s continued energy purchases from Moscow.
Russia has expressed ambitions to rectify trade imbalances by increasing imports of Indian goods, targeting bilateral trade volumes reaching $100 billion by 2030. India remains the world’s largest purchaser of Russian seaborne oil and military equipment, demonstrating resilient economic ties that have persisted through geopolitical tensions. The visa facilitation program represents a strategic effort to deepen people-to-people connections while reinforcing diplomatic and economic cooperation between these historically allied nations.