Moscow: In a bid to attract tourists, Russia made it possible for Indian citizens to visit it without visas. The arrangement, in which Indians can travel to Russia and back without the document, will be effective from 2025.
Arrangements have been completed to make travel easier by eliminating the costs and other obstacles associated with obtaining a visa. Currently, travellers from China and Iran are allowed to enter Russia without a visa through the Visa-Free Tourist Exchange Program.
India and Russia had discussed a bilateral agreement on visa restrictions in June. The two countries then decided to introduce visa-free group tourist exchanges.
Indians visit Russia for business and work purposes. Currently, they have to obtain an e-visa to visit Russia. The process usually takes four days to complete. In the first half of 2024, 28,500 Indian tourists visited Moscow. Indian passport holders can currently enter 62 countries without a visa.
Meanwhile, the Indian government claimed that only 19 Indian nationals are still serving in the Russian armed forces, following efforts to secure the discharge and repatriation of most others. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided the update in a written response to a Lok Sabha query on Friday. The query had sought details about the number of Indians recruited into the Russian military who have not yet returned home, the reasons for delays in their release despite Russian assurances, and whether they are serving on the front lines. It also inquired about contact with these individuals and measures taken for their repatriation.