India and Russia on Friday announced multiple measures to strengthen bilateral ties, including a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa to India for Russian citizens.
During the joint press address with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was happy that this new visa facility will be launched soon.
The Prime Minister further said that both countries have agreed on an economic cooperation program till 2030.
President Vladimir Putin arrived in the national capital on Thursday for a two-day visit focused on strengthening India-Russia ties.
Apart from this, India and Russia today exchanged sixteen agreements in areas related to defence, trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture and media.
In essence, the India-Russia tourism corridor is experiencing significant growth, transforming from a niche segment to a vital, mutually beneficial aspect of their strong bilateral relationship, with major potential for expansion in the coming years.
According to the latest data, Indian tourist numbers to Russia jumped from around 60,000 (2023) to over 120,000 (2024). Simultaneously, the number of Russians tourists visiting India has also surged remarkably, reaching approximately 175,000 in the same period.
