Not an iota of truth: PM Modi's rare dismissal of report on foreign travel curbs

In a rare move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday personally stepped in to dismiss a report claiming the Centre was considering imposing a tax or surcharge on foreign travel, calling the speculation totally false.

PM Modi issued the clarification in a post on X after the report by CNBC-TV18 suggested that the Centre was discussing a temporary levy on overseas travel to offset rising fiscal pressure caused by high crude oil prices and the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

“This is totally false. Not an iota of truth in this,” the Prime Minister wrote.

“There is no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel,” he added.

The Prime Minister’s intervention aimed at putting an end to speculation around possible restrictions or additional taxation on overseas travel.

Soon after the Prime Minister’s post, CNBC-TV18 withdrew its report and expressed regret over the story.

“Our story on government considering tax/cess on foreign travel is not accurate. We withdraw the story and regret the error,” the channel said in a post on X.

Rejecting the speculation, PM Modi said the government remained focused on reducing burdens on citizens and businesses rather than imposing new restrictions.

“We remain committed to improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living’ for our people,” the Prime Minister said.

The reports had triggered widespread discussion amid growing concerns over rising fuel prices and the economic fallout of tensions in the Middle East. India, which imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements, has been facing pressure from surging global energy prices following disruptions linked to the regional conflict.

Narendra Modi, who is on a five-nation tour currently, had a brief visit to the United Arab Emirates for talks with the UAE President on Friday, India and the UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Petroleum Reserves aimed at strengthening India’s energy security amid volatile crude oil markets and supply disruptions caused by regional tensions.

The agreement builds on the existing partnership under which Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is the only foreign entity storing crude oil in India’s underground strategic reserves. Officials said the new pact would deepen energy cooperation, ensure a more reliable supply for India, and provide the UAE with a stable long-term market for its expanding crude production capacity.