You Might Soon Be Able To Head To Russia, Visa Free. Credit: Canva
As per reports, Moscow and Delhi will soon enter into talks to ink a bilateral agreement that will let travellers of both countries benefit from a greater ease of travel.
Reports quoted Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry’s Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects on the sidelines of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2024” in Kazan. Talks between India and Russia are scheduled to begin in June 2024. If successful, a formal agreement could be finalised by year-end, paving the way for this exciting new travel option. At the centre of all discussions is the facilitation of visa-free group tourist exchanges, enhancing cultural and economic ties between the two nations. Russia is currently operating visa-free tourist exchanges with China and Iran, and the agreements have so far borne great success.
And there are benefits on both sides. Group travel with a registered tour operator will eliminate the need for individual visas, making travel to Russia more accessible for Indian tourists. This program is expected to significantly increase tourist flow between the two countries, benefiting both economies. Easier travel will also foster cultural exchange, allowing people from both nations to experience each other’s rich heritage and traditions.
With regards to travel numbers, Moscow boomed with business tourism in 2023. Visitor numbers hit 3.7 million, up 7% year-on-year. Notably, India played a big role, sending 60,000 business travellers to the country, a 25% jump from the previous year. This reflects a growing two-way tourism trend between India and Russia.
Moscow: Russia’s capital is where all your travels should begin. The vibrant city boasts iconic landmarks like Red Square with its colourful St. Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum. Explore the Kremlin, the seat of Russian power, and the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre for ballet and opera. Art lovers can visit the Tretyakov Gallery for Russian art or the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts for European and Asian collections.
St. Petersburg: A Russian port city on the Baltic Sea, St Petersburg is the cultural heart of the country, with incredible destinations such as the It was the, St. Petersburg offers the Peter and Paul Fortress, the grand Catherine Palace with its Amber Room, and a stroll down Nevsky Prospekt, the main avenue. Don’t miss the vast State Hermitage Museum, one of the oldest and largest in the world.
Lake Baikal: Siberia’s Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a natural wonder. You can hike or bike in the mountains nearby, go on a boat tour, or visit Olkhon Island for its shamanic sites and scenic beauty.
