Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to adopt austerity measures. File photo: PMO via ANI
After dismissing media reports that the government was considering levying taxes on foreign travel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 15, 2026) said that “imposing such restrictions on foreign travel is out of the question”.
The prime minister’s reaction follows a news report that suggested the government was considering levying a tax or cess or surcharge on foreign travel, but no final decision had yet been taken.
“This is totally false. There is not an iota of truth in it. Imposing such restrictions on foreign travel is out of the question. We remain committed to improving ‘Easy of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living’ for our people,” Mr Modi said in a post on X.
It is rare for a Prime Minister himself to deny a media report.
The report, citing sources, claimed that the proposal to levy a cess or tax or surcharge on foreign travel is being discussed at the highest levels.
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This comes as the prime minister has repeatedly asked citizens to adopt austerity measures as the crisis in West Asia continues to unfold. He suggested reduction in petrol and diesel consumption, use of metro services in cities, carpooling, increased use of electric vehicles, use of rail services for parcels and work from home to save foreign exchange.
Mr. Modi also appealed to the people of the country to postpone buying gold and foreign travel for a year.
(With PTI inputs)
Published – 15 May 2026 22:32 IST
