PM Modi Clears Air on Rumoured Foreign Travel Tax, Assures No Extra Burden

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday firmly denied reports suggesting that the Centre was considering imposing a tax, cess or surcharge on foreign travel , calling the claims “totally false” and devoid of any truth.

The clarification came after a media report claimed that discussions were taking place at the highest levels of the government regarding a proposal to levy additional charges on overseas travel. The report had stated that while the idea was under consideration, no final decision had been taken yet.

Responding swiftly to the speculation, Modi took to social media platform X and categorically rejected the claims. “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 wrote.

He further stressed that the government remains committed to improving both the economic environment and the daily lives of citizens rather than creating additional hurdles. “We remain committed to improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living’ for our people,” he added.

The Prime Minister’s direct intervention attracted significant attention, as it is relatively rare for him to personally rebut media reports related to policy matters. His statement quickly put an end to speculation that the government might introduce fresh levies on international travel .

The reports had triggered concerns among travellers, aviation operators and tourism industry stakeholders, many of whom feared that any such move could increase the financial burden on passengers and negatively impact outbound tourism .

With Modi’s categorical denial , the government has made it clear that there is currently no proposal to impose a special tax or surcharge on foreign travel.