India definitively rejects Putin's request for visa-free regime
Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Negotiations between India and Russia regarding the introduction of a visa-free regime between the countries have ended in failure, despite a public request by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to reach an agreement on this matter, according to TASS.
On October 31, it officially became known that the years-long negotiations between Moscow and New Delhi on introducing a visa-free regime have yielded no results and have ultimately stalled.
The head of the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexey Klimov, told state media that the countries have already suspended the preparation of the relevant agreement.
Importantly, the agreement was supposed to allow organized tourist groups to visit both countries without obtaining visas. This initiative was actively supported by Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
According to the diplomat, reaching an agreement proved difficult because India has not previously concluded international agreements that would provide for visa-free travel for organized groups of citizens.
The issue of simplifying visa procedures was raised by Putin during negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi back in 2019. Following the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, amid India's increased purchases of Russian oil and the West's imposition of visa restrictions on Russian citizens, the head of the Kremlin publicly asked the Indian prime minister to completely abolish visas between the countries.
Later, in 2023, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development proposed to the Indian side the introduction of a visa-free regime, following the example of China and Iran. The then-head of the ministry, Maxim Reshetnikov, reported that the relevant proposals were being discussed through diplomatic channels.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to support efforts for peace in Ukraine.
We also explained why India has sharply reduced its purchases of Russian oil.
