In a significant step towards enhancing diplomatic relations and cultural exchange, India and Russia are on the verge of implementing a visa-free travel regime by the end of this year. According to Nikita Kondratyev, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, consultations on a bilateral agreement will commence in June, marking the beginning of a new era in Indo-Russian relations. India is reportedly in the “final stage of internal state coordination,” Kondratyev confirmed.

The move to ease travel restrictions is set to boost tourism, strengthen business ties, and facilitate closer cultural and educational exchanges between the two nations. A visa-free arrangement will not only simplify the travel process for citizens but will also underscore the long-standing friendship and mutual cooperation between India and Russia.

This agreement comes as part of a broader effort to enhance people-to-people connectivity, which has seen a resurgence in recent years with collaborative projects in education, trade, culture, and sports. With the completion of this agreement, both nations hope to witness a significant rise in tourism and business-related travel, strengthening bilateral ties on a grassroots level. The upcoming consultations aim to finalise the terms of the visa-free agreement, and both governments are optimistic that the new regime will be in place by the end of 2024.