India Announces Free 30-Day Visa for Russians as Modi and Putin Deepen Strategic Partnership

New Delhi, December 5, 2025: India has moved to further strengthen its partnership with Russia by introducing a free 30-day e-tourist visa along with a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision during a joint press briefing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it an important initiative to enhance people-to-people ties and promote deeper cultural exchange.

PM Modi said the visa reforms will make travel easier for Russian visitors and give new momentum to bilateral engagement. He highlighted that cooperation between the two nations is now expanding into advanced and specialised sectors, particularly maritime training in extreme climates. India and Russia will begin a programme to train Indian seafarers for operations in polar waters, a step he said would support India’s wider engagement in the Arctic while opening fresh employment opportunities for Indian youth.

Energy collaboration remained a central area of focus, with the Prime Minister noting that civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries has contributed significantly to India’s clean-energy goals. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to continue strengthening this long-standing partnership, calling it mutually beneficial. Modi further emphasised that cooperation in critical minerals will support stable and diversified global supply chains essential for high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy and next-generation industries.

Addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent position in favour of peace, dialogue and a diplomatic resolution. He said India welcomes all initiatives aimed at achieving a lasting settlement and reaffirmed that New Delhi remains willing to contribute positively whenever required.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the shared resolve of India and Russia in confronting terrorism. Referring to recent attacks in Pahalgam and Russia’s Crocus City Hall, he said both incidents were rooted in the same extremist ideology. He described terrorism as an assault on humanity’s core values and noted that collective global action is the strongest response to such violence.

PM Modi expressed confidence that the India-Russia partnership will continue to provide strength in addressing global challenges. He said the trust between the two nations will help shape a more secure, cooperative and forward-looking future.