India, May 16 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday debunked a viral media report claiming the Centre was considering a new tax or surcharge on foreign travel.

In a rare and direct rebuttal, the Prime Minister dismissed the speculation about a new tax on travel as "totally false," reaffirming the government's commitment to maintaining economic freedom and ease of living despite the mounting fiscal pressures of the ongoing West Asian conflict.

The controversy erupted following an exclusive report by CNBC-TV18, citing internal sources, which suggested that a proposal to levy a temporary, one-year cess or surcharge on overseas travel was being discussed at the "highest levels" of government.

The report claimed the move was intended to...