Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unequivocally dismissed recent media reports suggesting the Union government was considering imposing a new cess or tax on foreign travel, calling the claims "totally false" and lacking "an iota of truth." The Prime Minister made his statement on X (formerly Twitter) on May 15, 2026, directly addressing speculation that had emerged from a news report.
Modi's rare and swift intervention came after CNBC-TV18 reported that a proposal for an additional levy on overseas travel was under discussion at the "highest levels" of the government. This report quickly sparked public debate and concern among citizens and industry stakeholders.
Report Retracted Following PM's Denial
Minutes after the Prime Minister's public denial, CNBC-TV18 retracted its story and issued an apology on X. "Our story on government considering tax/cess on foreign travel is not accurate. We withdraw the story and regret the error," the network stated.
This rapid sequence of events effectively quelled the speculation surrounding potential restrictions or increased costs for international travel by Indian citizens. The Prime Minister's direct response is notable, as he rarely addresses individual media reports unless they are deemed significant enough to trigger widespread public concern or impact government policy perception.
Commitment to 'Ease of Living' and 'Ease of Doing Business'
In his statement, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his administration's commitment to improving "Ease of Doing Business" and "Ease of Living" for the people of India. He emphasized that there was "no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel," aligning his response with the government's broader agenda of fostering convenience and growth.
The clarification is expected to reassure frequent international travelers, the aviation industry, and tourism operators, especially as outbound travel from India has shown robust post-pandemic growth. The government's firm stance aims to prevent any misperceptions about its intent to curb international movement or impose additional financial burdens on citizens.