PM Modi Denies Reports of New Tax on Foreign Travel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly refuted media reports suggesting a new tax on foreign travel. He stated there is absolutely no truth to claims of discussions about imposing a cess or surcharge. The Prime Minister emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing ease of doing business and ease of living for citizens.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dismissed as “totally false” media reports claiming the government was considering imposing a tax, cess or surcharge on foreign travel to offset war-related fiscal pressures and higher crude import costs.

Responding to a graphic circulating on social media that cited unnamed sources and claimed discussions were underway at the “highest levels”, Modi said there was “not an iota of truth” in the report.

“This is totally false. Not an iota of truth in this. There is no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel,” the prime minister said in a post on X.

“We remain committed to improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living’ for our people,” he added.

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The reports claimed the Centre was discussing a temporary one-year cess, tax or surcharge on foreign travel to help cushion the fiscal impact of rising geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices. It also said the proposed levy would flow directly to the Centre and not form part of the divisible tax pool.

The finance ministry had not officially commented on the report before the prime minister’s clarification.

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