Putin okays visa-free travel deal with India

The agreement allows the holders to enter transit and stay on the territory of India and Russia for up to 90 days without visa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday ratified a bilateral agreement with India on visa-free travel for the holders of diplomatic and official passports to each others' country.

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The agreement signed on December 3, 2004 in New Delhi during Russian President's visit allows the holders of diplomats and officials of the two countries to enter transit and stay on the territory of India and Russia for up to 90 days without visa.

However, under the agreement, earlier cleared by the Russian parliament's both houses -- the State Duma and Federation Council, both Moscow and New Delhi reserve the right to terminate the 90 day stay or deny entry to persons declared non grata.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry had said that this agreement would boost bilateral defence cooperation and military exchanges between Russia and India.