Russia removes India from list of safe travel destinations

Russia has removed India from the list of safe travel destinations for its tourists. The Russian information centre in Goa said that a revised travel advisory had been issued following the blacklisting of Egypt and Turkey.

Interestingly, regions like Cuba, south Vietnam and southern China are placed amongst 'safe' destinations in the new list issued by Russia, a report in Times of India said quoting the Russian news agency INTERFAX. The Russians, however, said that the removal of Goa from the safe list was not connected to terror attacks but some ugly local incidents, it said.

The move is likely to affect tourism in Goa hugely as the coastal state is considered to be one of the favourite tourist spots for Russian travellers.

"Both India and Goa were not considered as good destinations for Russian travellers," said Ekaterina Belyakova, head of the Russian information centre.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had canceled all flights to Egypt after mid-air explosion of a Russian passenger plane over the Sinai peninsula on October 31. 224 people were killed in the crash, which was claimed the Islamic State (IS)

Last week, Turkish missiles shot down a Russian fighter jet in Syria after which Putin called on its citizens to cancel vacations in Turkey.

Putin approves economic sanctions against Turkey

Meanwhile, relationship between Russia and Turkey touched a new low as Putin slapped economic sanctions against Ankara. The moves comes four days after Russian fighter jet was shot down by Turkey.

According to the decree signed by Putin, charter flights from Russia to Turkey would be banned. Tour firms would be told not to sell any holidays there, and that unspecified Turkish imports would be outlawed, and Turkish firms and nationals have their economic activities halted or curbed.