The Ministry of External Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha that ₹557.51 crore was spent on PM Modi's 77 foreign visits between 2021 and 2026, facilitating hundreds of MoUs and massive FDI inflows.

Key Takeaways

  • Total expenditure for 77 foreign visits: ₹557.51 crore.
  • Period covered: 2021 to July 2026.
  • 316 MoUs signed, including 44 with UAE and 33 with France.
  • Total FDI inflow during this period reached $381.8 billion.

New Delhi: In a detailed response to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) disclosed that the Indian government spent approximately ₹557.51 crore on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 77 foreign visits between 2021 and July 2026. Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, stated that these diplomatic missions were instrumental in securing international partnerships across various critical sectors.

The data provided to the Parliament highlights a significant surge in bilateral engagements. Out of the 316 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during this period, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) led with 44 agreements, followed by France with 33, Israel with 16, and the United States with 8. These agreements have spanned sectors ranging from technology and security to economic infrastructure.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the scale of these visits is directly correlated with India's rising economic footprint on the global stage. The massive $381.8 billion FDI inflow recorded during this timeframe underscores the success of India's proactive diplomacy in attracting global capital and strengthening strategic ties with major powers.

The true metric of diplomatic success lies not in the number of flights taken, but in the tangible jobs created and investments secured for the nation.

However, the expenditure has faced scrutiny from the opposition. Member of Parliament Dr. Sivadasan argued that the efficacy of these visits should be measured by implemented projects and job creation rather than mere MoUs. Concerns were also raised regarding whether certain agreements, particularly with the U.S., align more with American strategic interests than Indian ones.

Historical Background

Over the last few years, India has transitioned from a regional player to a key global stakeholder. The expansion of India's digital public infrastructure, such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has become a cornerstone of its soft power diplomacy, as seen in recent agreements with nations like Israel.

Did You Know?: During this period, the government spent ₹25.59 crore specifically for the Prime Minister's joint visit to France and the U.S. in early 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many MoUs were signed during PM Modi's visits?
A total of 316 MoUs were signed with various countries during the specified period.

2. Which country had the highest number of agreements with India?
The UAE had the highest number of agreements with 44 MoUs signed.