A shocking account has emerged from Moscow, where a group of 9 Indian tourists have reportedly been detained by Russian immigration officials without any clear explanation or communication. Indian traveler Amit Tanwar took to Instagram to share a harrowing experience, claiming that their passports were confiscated, they were denied entry despite valid documents, and have been locked in a room without basic facilities.
The incident, which took place at Moscow’s international airport on July 8, raises serious concerns about the treatment of Indian citizens abroad and questions the strength of India-Russia diplomatic relations — especially in the backdrop of PM Modi’s recent Moscow visit.
“India-Russia Friendship is a Myth,” Writes Tanwar in Viral Instagram Post
Amit Tanwar, a tourist and social media user, shared a detailed post and video on Instagram recounting his distressing experience. He stated:
“Whoever thinks India is a superpower and India-Russia ties are strong – it’s a myth.”
According to his post, the group of 12 Indian travelers arrived in Moscow on July 8 at 10 AM, carrying all necessary and valid travel documents, including return tickets, hotel bookings, and sufficient cash. However, out of the 12, only 3 were allowed entry, while the remaining 9 were detained without any explanation.
No Clarification from Officials, Phones and Search History Checked
Tanwar claims that after waiting for an hour at the airport, the group was taken into a separate room where officials scanned their phones, including Google search history, photos, and YouTube activity. Their documents, itineraries, and cash were also checked. Despite these checks, no specific questions were asked, and no allegations or accusations were made.
Shortly after, the group was told that they were being deported—again, without being told why.
Locked Room, No Basic Facilities or Communication
The Indian tourists were then moved to another room, described as small, locked, and overcrowded, where they joined several others, including travelers from India and possibly other nations. According to Tanwar:
“The treatment we are receiving is inhumane. We are being treated like criminals, without food, proper water, or any communication from the authorities.”
He further alleged that some individuals in the room have been stuck there for 2–3 days, raising serious concerns about human rights violations at the hands of Moscow immigration.
Fear of Deportation via Azerbaijan
Tanwar also expressed fear that the group might be deported via Baku, Azerbaijan, where they could face similar treatment or worse due to lack of proper documentation for transit. To make matters worse, they were not being allowed to book tickets on their own to return to India, leaving them in a state of helplessness.
“We are even afraid to raise our voice or file a complaint. We are scared of the authorities,” he wrote.
PM Modi’s Moscow Visit and Ongoing Controversy Around Indian Nationals in Russia
This incident comes days after PM Narendra Modi’s official visit to Russia, during which the Indian Prime Minister raised the issue of Indian nationals allegedly being tricked or forced into serving in the Russian military during the Ukraine war.
After Modi’s intervention, Russia reportedly agreed to release all Indian nationals involved in its armed forces. However, this new case involving detention of innocent tourists suggests that ground-level treatment of Indians in Russia still remains questionable.
Public Reaction and Diplomatic Implications
The incident has sparked public outrage, with many netizens demanding that India’s External Affairs Ministry (MEA) intervene. Tanwar tagged PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in his post, urging them to take swift diplomatic action.
This has ignited a broader debate on how Indian citizens are treated abroad — especially in countries with supposedly friendly diplomatic ties.
Many believe this could strain India-Russia relations further, especially at a time when India is under global scrutiny for its diplomatic balancing between the West and Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.
What Can Be Done?
This incident highlights the urgent need for:
- Stronger consular support for Indian travelers abroad, especially in non-English speaking countries like Russia.
- Clear communication channels at Indian embassies for emergency assistance.
- Public advisories regarding countries with frequent immigration issues for Indian travelers.
- A transparent investigation into why Indian tourists are being targeted and detained without cause.
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