In an effort to deepen people to people connect, and promote tourism, Islamic Republic of Iran, has announced the abolition of visas for Indian nationals who enter the country just through the air border.
According to the Embassy of Iran in India
All Indian individuals who hold ordinary passports will be allowed to enter the country without a visa once every six months. And they can stay in for a maximum of 15 days. This 15-day period cannot be extended.
The abolition of visa for the Indian traveller entering Iran is meant purely for tourism
The Islamic nation has previously introduced visa-waiver programmes for several countries, including Lebanon, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, and Syria. And it has become the fourth country – after Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam – that has removed visa requirements for Indian travellers.
The decision to remove visa requirements for visitors from India and 32 other countries has been taken in an effort to promote not only goodwill but also enhance tourism.
With this, Iran has become the fourth country – after Vietnam, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, – that has removed visa requirements for travellers from India. Last December, Iran’s Tourism Minister Ezzatollah Zarghami, according to reports in the public domain, had stated that the decision to waive for Indian travellers was aimed at attracting more visitors from around the world and to promote tourism.
According to him the boost in tourism will help to neutralise Iranophobia campaigns. The newly implemented visa-waiver programme in Iran extends to a total of 33 countries, including Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Tanzania, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Mauritius, Seychelles, Japan, Bosnia, among others.
The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the number of foreign arrivals in Iran reached 4.4 million during the first eight months of 2023 (started on March 21), an increase of 48.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2022.
Iran – BRICS & SCO
Iran has recently become a member of the expanded BRICS grouping and its application to join Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has also been approved.