Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected reports on Friday, May 15, 2026 [1], claiming the government was considering a tax on foreign travel.
The denial aims to stabilize public sentiment and dispel rumors regarding potential new financial burdens on citizens traveling abroad. Such reports had suggested the government might implement a cess or surcharge to generate revenue from international departures.
Modi addressed the rumors via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter [4]. He said the reports have no basis in reality and that there is no plan to restrict or tax foreign travel.
"There is not even an iota of truth to the report," Modi said [3].
He said the claims were "totally false" [2]. The Prime Minister emphasized that his administration is not looking to create new hurdles for travelers, and the focus remains on easing the financial pressure on the Indian public.
"The government remains focused on reducing burdens on citizens, not on imposing new taxes on foreign travel," Modi said [1].
This public clarification comes as the government seeks to maintain a pro-growth environment and avoid the appearance of increasing the cost of living for the middle class. By addressing the rumors directly on social media, the Prime Minister sought to prevent the misinformation from gaining further traction across digital news platforms.
“"There is not even an iota of truth to the report."”
The swift and direct denial from the Prime Minister's office suggests the government is sensitive to the political fallout of perceived tax hikes. By explicitly rejecting the idea of a travel cess, the administration is signaling a commitment to maintaining current fiscal policies regarding international movement to avoid alienating the traveling public and the tourism sector.
