Dismissing news media reports that the government is considering levying taxes on foreign travel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 15, 2026), said that there is “no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel.”

The Prime Minister’s response follows a news report that suggested that the government was considering levying a tax or a cess or a surcharge on foreign travel but no final decision had been taken yet.

“This is totally false. Not an iota of truth in this. There is no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel. We remain committed to improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living’ for our people,” Mr. Modi said in a post on X.

It is rare that the Prime Minister himself has denied a media report.

The report, quoting sources, claimed that the proposal to levy a cess or a tax or a surcharge on foreign travel is being discussed at the highest levels.

Editorial |​ Belated warning: On the Prime Minister’s austerity appeal

This comes amidst the Prime Minister repeatedly asking citizens to adopt austerity measures as the crisis in West Asia continues to unfold. He has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of electric vehicles, utilising railway services for parcel movement, and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.

Mr. Modi also appealed to the people of the country to postpone the purchase of gold and foreign travel for a year.

(With PTI inputs)