Government data revealed in the Rajya Sabha shows PM Modi’s 2025 foreign travel cost nearly Rs 187 crore, with Rs 74.58 crore spent through July 2026. The information was provided amid parliamentary questions regarding the economic impact of these diplomatic visits, which the government links to attracting over USD 381 billion in Foreign Direct Investment since 2021.
Government figures presented in the Rajya Sabha have revealed that foreign visits undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025 incurred an expenditure of approximately Rs 187 crore. These diplomatic trips covered 23 countries, including key global partners such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, China, and Japan. For the current year, data up to July 2026 shows that expenditure for foreign travel has reached Rs 74.58 crore.
The disclosure came in response to a parliamentary inquiry from Members of Parliament seeking a detailed, year-wise, and visit-wise breakdown of expenses since 2021. The Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, provided the data, noting that high-level visits are a key tool for strengthening India’s bilateral, regional, and global engagements. According to the ministry, these trips are intended to foster cooperation in sectors such as technology, energy, defense, and trade, while also focusing on securing resilient supply chains.
From an economic perspective, the government's response highlighted that these diplomatic efforts are part of a broader strategy to attract international capital. The ministry reported that India has received USD 381.8 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between April 2021 and December 2025. Additionally, the government noted that 316 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements have been signed during these visits since July 2021, which the administration identifies as potential drivers for future economic activity.
Public and parliamentary discussions around this spending often focus on the correlation between high-level diplomatic travel and tangible economic outcomes, such as investment inflows and trade agreements. While the government maintains that these trips are essential for building international partnerships, the scale of expenditure continues to face scrutiny. Parliamentary records indicate that cumulative spending on the Prime Minister’s foreign travel from 2021 through 2024 totaled approximately Rs 295 crore, with annual costs varying based on the number and nature of the visits.
Investors and observers typically track these figures to understand the cost-to-benefit dynamic of India's diplomatic outreach. The government clarifies that the reported costs include standard expenses such as delegation accommodation, transportation, and security arrangements. As these figures remain subject to final audits and reporting, the primary monitorable for the public is the ongoing transparency of these outlays and the long-term impact of the signed agreements on India’s trade and investment landscape.