We canceled our trip to Georgia after hearing unsettling stories, and Uzbekistan welcomed us with warmth instead. This is our heartfelt trip to Uzbekistan, where history, kindness, and respect reminded us why we travel.
We had everything set for Georgia: tickets booked, itinerary ready, and we were supposed to leave on September 26th. Then, just a few days before our trip, I saw a post on Instagram by an Indian traveler, Dhruvee Patel. She shared how a group of Indians was mistreated at the Georgia-Armenia border.
The comments under that post were filled with similar experiences from other Indians, people being deported, humiliated, and looked down upon as if they didn’t belong there. It honestly scared me.
I remembered reading about such incidents years ago, as this article from The News Minute talked about Indian travelers who were deported for no reason, and another from an Indian travel blogger, Shivya, who shared her own uneasy experience at immigration.
Some of the stories that sparked debate included one in which an Indian traveler wrote to Smt. Sushma Swaraj (then foreign minister), after being “treated like a terrorist” and deported from Tbilisi despite a valid visa, and another, where Khushbu Kaushal shared in a Facebook post how she was held for hours without food or water before being sent back. You can’t really shake off the stories like these, not for the fear they cause, but for the quiet reminder of how dignity can sometimes depend on the passport you hold.
Even on travel forums, Indians have shared similar concerns, as seen in this Reddit discussion, where travelers discussed being questioned, delayed, or turned away at Georgian borders despite holding valid visas.
Back in May 2018, the Ministry of External Affairs had actually issued a travel advisory warning Indian nationals that “even valid Georgian visas were not being honored at immigration check-posts and many Indians were being summarily deported.”
But I assumed things had changed, primarily since Georgia now promotes tourism for Indians.
In fact, that’s what made me plan a trip there this time. Everywhere I looked, Georgia was being promoted as one of the most welcoming and fast-growing destinations for Indians.
Yes, Georgia has been actively wooing Indian travelers with roadshows in Delhi and Mumbai, simplified visa rules (e.g., Indian passport holders with valid US/UK/Schengen visas could enter more easily), daily IndiGo flights, and a heartfelt marketing campaign titled “Yeh Dil Phir Jeene Laga.”
In 2024 alone, it welcomed over 1.2 lakh visitors from India, a number that grew by 40% in just the first half of 2025. This made me believe that they’re actively seeking Indian guests.
But, latest reports suggest that despite these open-arm-like policies, growing numbers of Indians are reporting racial profiling, detentions, and deportations at the border.
The same viral incident I came across on Instagram, where a young Indian traveler shared how she and 55 others were kept waiting for hours in the cold, denied food and toilets, made to sit “like cattle,” and ultimately sent back despite all paperwork being in order, was later reported by several major news outlets. She had even tagged Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy, pleading for help.
Another case reported by the news outlets told of an Indian medical student in Georgia who was detained, handcuffed, and deported despite valid documents; his mother said he was “treated like a criminal because of his skin color.”
Similar stories continue to surface, such as that of Rajesh, a frequent traveler from India who was detained upon arrival in Tbilisi despite holding a valid e-visa and a return ticket, and then deported without explanation.
India’s presence in the world has grown over the years. We’re set to become the third-largest economy soon, leading in digital payments, space exploration, and global diplomacy. From Chandrayaan’s Moon landing to hosting the G20, India’s voice is louder and prouder on the world stage. Yet, stories of unfair treatment toward Indian travelers still surface, which makes it all the more disheartening.
It stings a little extra because Indians today travel with valid papers, digital confidence, and a country that’s clearly stepping onto the world stage.
It makes me stop and think. Maybe it’s not outright hate toward Indians; perhaps it’s partly because some travelers have misused Georgia’s easy-entry policy: people who used it as a backdoor to Europe, overstayed, or didn’t respect local culture and laws. I’ve seen that happen in many countries, and sadly, a few careless travelers can ruin the reputation for everyone else.
But still, if a country has reviewed your application, granted you a visa, and you’re carrying every valid document, why this kind of treatment? If you don’t want Indians, don’t issue visas or make the process rigorous, but don’t treat those who followed the rules like they’ve done something wrong just because someone else in the past did. The job of immigration officers is to check documents, not to judge intent or skin color.
From what I’ve read, this bias isn’t always about rules; sometimes it’s about perception. There have been reports of South Asian travelers being stopped, questioned, or even deported without an apparent reason.
In 2025 alone, several media houses reported incidents of valid visa holders being detained or turned back. Many described being treated with suspicion the moment officials saw the Indian passport, something I’ve sensed too in a few destinations, that tiny pause before the smile, like they’re still figuring you out.
Traveling the world as a brown-skinned person comes with its share of stares and stereotypes, but I’ve learned not to take it to heart. Many people form opinions without ever leaving their own borders. They see countries through headlines, not heartlines. I feel grateful that I get to cross mine and know the truth for myself.
Of course, I’m not saying this happens to every Indian traveler. Many have had wonderful experiences exploring Georgia’s landscapes, culture, and food, and stories like this one remind me that there’s still warmth and beauty waiting for you, but the truth is, there’s risk. When there’s even a slight chance that you might be denied entry or humiliated despite doing everything right, it plants doubt, and travel should never begin with doubt.
It’s not just about borders or paperwork; it’s about dignity. When you’re standing there with every legal document in hand, and you’re still made to feel unwanted, it stops being a travel issue and becomes something more profound.
In Georgia, there’s a traditional saying: “A guest is a gift from God.” We Indians, too, believe in “Atithi Devo Bhava” — the guest is divine. So it stings when a nation that holds such words dear acts as if certain travelers don’t deserve that welcome.
I genuinely hope Georgia grows into the diverse, inclusive destination it aspires to be, not practice selective hospitality based on where your passport was issued. Because hospitality isn’t a slogan, it’s a story told through how you treat someone when they stand at your door.
These aren’t just political or policy matters; they’re human ones, because every traveler deserves to feel safe, respected, and seen, not sized up by the color of their skin or the country printed on their passport.
Anyhow, after reading so many accounts, I wanted to be sure I wasn’t overthinking it. So, I reached out to a few Indian friends and travel bloggers to ask about their own experiences in Georgia. One of the friends I spoke to told me that the Georgian immigration officer barely looked at her and was instantly rude the moment he saw her blue Indian passport. But the second he noticed a valid US visa stamped inside, his tone changed: polite, even welcoming, and just like that, she was waved through.
She continued, “You’ll probably be fine because you have a valid US visa.” Then she paused and added, “But that’s the sad part, isn’t it?”
I replied, I don’t want that US visa stamp to be our ticket to respect. Our worth shouldn’t depend on another country’s stamp. We are Indians: educated, hardworking, and responsible travelers who love exploring the world just as much as anyone else.
We pay for our trips, follow the rules, carry all required documents, and expect to be treated with the same fairness and courtesy that every traveler deserves.
Any traveler, from any country, any race, any color, can make a poor choice. That isn’t a national trait; it’s a human one. So why should an entire country full of respectful, law-abiding people carry the burden of a few who didn’t? All we ask for is equality at the border, not privilege, just the simple dignity of being seen as individuals, not stereotypes stamped on our passports.
At some point, I realized, we should travel where we’re welcomed for who we are, where entry is granted on the strength of our own passport and our country’s worth, not someone else’s visa. We deserve that.
That’s when it hit me, I’d rather visit a place that truly welcomes Indians, where our origins don’t become a risk factor. We canceled our trip to Georgia: every booking, every plan.
But we had to travel. The travel bug doesn’t do “stay home.” Sitting still isn’t in our DNA.
I started searching for countries that welcome Indians easily, offer e-visas, visa on arrival, or visa-free entry, and have a simple, quick visa process (because time was tight and I didn’t want endless paperwork). The list looked hopeful: Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and then, Uzbekistan.
I paused at that one. It seemed perfect: easy to reach (just a short 3-hour flight), visa sorted within 3 days, and doable even with our packed schedules.
The more I read, the more it drew me in. The blue domes shimmering under Central Asian skies, the old Silk Road cities breathing history, and the way people described the warmth of Uzbeks toward Indians… it all just felt right.
I even searched for past stories to learn how Indians were treated there. Every account I found melted my heart, tales of locals greeting Indians with smiles, of strangers saying “Namaste” on the streets, of a kind of respect that felt genuine, not performative.
Like Georgia, Uzbekistan too was once part of the Soviet Union, yet it has carved out a charm uniquely its own: gentle, gracious, and unhurried. People there are soft-spoken, kind, and proud of their heritage. And with its easy e-visa process, the decision came naturally.
Uzbekistan resurfaced as more than just another destination. It felt like the right choice. So we made it happen.
It broke my heart to cancel. Georgia was high on my list for years. I had spent weeks researching, planning, and even sharing my itinerary before the trip (something I rarely do). I had high hopes for it. I still do, deep down. I hope the day comes when we Indians are welcomed with the same warmth and respect as travelers from any other country. The day that happens, I’ll go, proudly, with my head held high, representing Incredible India the way it deserves to be seen.
PS: Maybe it’s the Indian in me talking, but I sometimes feel I jinxed it. We’re the kind who don’t buy baby clothes before the baby arrives or wedding stuff before it’s fixed; it’s considered bad luck, so maybe sharing my Georgia plans here too early was tempting fate a little.
But for now, it felt like the right decision: to choose peace of mind over uncertainty. I wanted our next journey to begin with warmth, not worry; with open doors, not questioning eyes.
The day I landed in Tashkent, I felt an instant connection. This is the same city where our former Prime Minister, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, passed away, still surrounded by mystery even today.
The city itself took me by surprise. It’s modern, spotless, and so well-organized. From the moment we cleared immigration until we reached our hotel, I could sense the warmth. Everything people say about Uzbekistan turned out to be true. They genuinely love Indians and respect Indian culture.
Their love for Bollywood is something else. Everyone seems to know Shah Rukh Khan, and hearing familiar Hindi songs playing in cafés and cars felt oddly comforting, like a small piece of home.
Everywhere, from Tashkent, Fergana, Samarkand, to Bukhara, Khiva, and Nukus, we went, people looked at us curiously and asked, “Hindostan?” The moment we nodded, their faces broke into the warmest smiles. Some greeted us with another “Namaste,” others started humming Bollywood tunes or talking about Shah Rukh Khan or Hindi movies they grew up watching. It wasn’t just recognition, it was genuine affection, the kind that makes you feel welcome even in a place you’re visiting for the first time.
It all felt easy and welcoming, far more than I expected. Even my daughter, who wasn’t very excited about visiting a Central Asian country, ended up loving it so much that by the end of the trip, she didn’t want to leave.
We left Uzbekistan with more than memories. We went with faith restored, that kindness exists, that respect can cross borders, and that sometimes, the best journeys are born from the heartbreaks of the ones that never happened.
After spending two unforgettable weeks here, I realized Uzbekistan is one of those rare places that surprises you at every turn: safe, beautiful, and incredibly affordable.
I have put together a super-detailed Uzbekistan travel guide, complete itineraries for every city, insights into its culture and traditions, where to stay, what to eat, and how to experience it like a local; everything you need to know before visiting this incredible gem of Central Asia to plan your own trip.
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