India and Russia are actively engaged in discussions to streamline payment mechanisms for all categories of travelers, aiming to boost tourism and trade between the two nations. This move comes amid a backdrop of increasing tourist flow between the countries and the need for alternative payment solutions due to international sanctions and restrictions.
The existing financial landscape presents challenges for travelers. With some Russian banks facing restrictions from the SWIFT system, and major international payment networks like VISA and Mastercard not widely accepted in Russia, finding reliable and convenient payment methods can be difficult. To address these issues, both countries are exploring various avenues to facilitate easier transactions.
One potential solution involves expanding the use of national currencies, the Indian Rupee and the Russian Ruble, for tourist and student transactions. This could involve enabling the use of RuPay cards in Russia and MIR cards in India. Sergey Cheryomin, Minister of the Moscow City Government, has highlighted the bright prospects for cooperation between the Russian Mir payment system and the Indian RuPay system, emphasizing its potential to boost tourism.
To further ease financial transactions for tourists, Sber, Russia's largest bank, has launched a Tourist Card. This card operates on Russia's MIR payment system and allows cashless transactions across shops, restaurants, public transport, and tourist attractions in Moscow. The card is available to all international visitors, including Indian travelers, and can be obtained from Sber's travel and banking center near Red Square. The center also functions as a tourist information center, offering services such as currency exchange, travel assistance, and multilingual support.
Indians can apply for a virtual Tourist Card before arriving in Russia by registering on YooMoney using just a phone number, eliminating the need for a Russian SIM card. Physical cards can also be ordered in advance and delivered to hotels or home addresses. Payments can be made via QR codes through the YooMoney app or by NFC on Android phones.
The push for simpler payment solutions aligns with the increasing number of tourists traveling between India and Russia. In 2024, over 120,000 Indian tourists visited Russia, doubling the figure from 2023. Russian tourist visits to India reached approximately 160,000 in the same year, exceeding the combined total of 2021 and 2022. The Indian Embassy in Moscow estimates that mutual tourist numbers could surpass 450,000 by 2025 if this trend continues.
However, there have been some recent reports of Indian tourists facing difficulties upon arrival in Russia. Nine Indian tourists alleged mistreatment after being detained in Moscow, despite possessing valid documents. These incidents highlight the need for continued efforts to streamline travel procedures and ensure a positive experience for visitors.
Despite these challenges, both India and Russia are committed to strengthening their bilateral relationship and promoting tourism. Moscow is scheduled to host a large-scale Indo-Russian tourism congress, aiming to capitalize on the upward trend in tourism and boost people-to-people exchanges. By simplifying payment processes and addressing travel-related issues, India and Russia aim to create a more seamless and enjoyable experience for travelers, further fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
