Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly rejected reports claiming that the Centre was considering imposing a tax or surcharge on foreign travel amid rising crude oil prices and tensions in West Asia.
In a rare direct intervention, Modi personally dismissed the media report through a post on X, calling the claims completely false.
“This is totally false. Not an iota of truth in this,” the Prime Minister wrote.
“There is no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel,” he added.
The clarification came after a report by CNBC-TV18 claimed that the government was discussing a temporary levy on overseas travel to offset fiscal pressure caused by rising fuel prices and the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The Prime Minister’s response aimed to put an end to speculation surrounding possible travel restrictions or additional taxation on international travel.
Shortly after Modi’s statement, CNBC-TV18 withdrew its report and issued a clarification.
“Our story on government considering tax/cess on foreign travel is not accurate. We withdraw the story and regret the error,” the channel said in a post on X.
Rejecting the speculation, Modi said the government remained focused on reducing burdens on citizens and businesses rather than imposing additional restrictions.
“We remain committed to improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living’ for our people,” the Prime Minister said.
The reports had triggered widespread discussion amid concerns over rising global crude oil prices and the economic impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
India imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements and has been facing pressure from supply disruptions linked to the regional conflict.
Meanwhile, Modi, who is currently on a five-nation tour, made a brief visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday for talks with the UAE leadership.
During the visit, India and the UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Petroleum Reserves aimed at strengthening India’s energy security amid volatile oil markets.
Officials said the agreement would deepen energy cooperation between the two countries and help ensure stable crude oil supplies for India.
The pact also expands the existing arrangement under which the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company stores crude oil in India’s underground strategic petroleum reserves.