- The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi announced on Tuesday that Indian citizens can now travel to Iran without obtaining visas (Indians are allowed visa-free entry to Iran). Indian passport holders are allowed visa-free entry every six months for a non-extendable period of 15 days.
- The Embassy conveyed the approval from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating that the visa requirement for Indian citizens will be eliminated from February 4, 2024, with certain conditions.
- Individuals with regular passports can enter the country visa-free every six months, with a maximum stay of 15 days, and no extension allowed (Indians are allowed visa-free entry to Iran).
- The visa exemption is exclusively for individuals entering Iran for tourism purposes.
- For extended stays, multiple entries within six months, or other visa types, Indians must obtain the required visas through Iran’s representations in India.
- This visa waiver pertains specifically to Indian nationals entering Iran via air borders.
- The situation underscores the enduring strength of India-Iran relations despite disruptions in the geopolitical landscape. Iran was once India’s primary oil source, but this dynamic shifted with former US President Donald Trump’s imposition of substantial sanctions on the Islamic nation.
- In November of the previous year, India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra held discussions with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran. The talks covered a range of issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and the strategic Chabahar port.
- According to the Ministry of External Affairs statement, the meeting addressed bilateral concerns, and connectivity projects, particularly the Chabahar port, and both sides shared perspectives on current regional challenges (Indians are allowed visa-free entry to Iran). The statement highlighted the mutual commitment to enhancing ongoing cooperation across various domains.