'Not An Iota Of Truth': PM Modi Rubbishes Report Of Restriction On Foreign Travel

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unequivocally denied a media report suggesting the Centre was considering imposing a new cess, tax, or surcharge on foreign travel. The proposed levy, according to the now-retracted report, aimed to mitigate the fiscal impact of global conflict-linked economic pressures, including rising crude oil prices and import costs. Modi clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that these claims were baseless and reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing both ease of doing business and ease of living for its citizens. The report likely gained traction due to genuine underlying concerns about India's macroeconomic stability amidst persistent global volatility. As a major net importer of crude oil, India's economy is highly susceptible to international commodity price fluctuations, which, exacerbated by ongoing war situation, place considerable pressure on the national budget and trade balance. This environment naturally fosters discussions, even at high levels, around various fiscal strategies to manage economic headwinds, making a report on potential revenue generation or expenditure control measures, however quickly denied, seem plausible to the market and public.