$280 million: Money Indian taxpayers paid for Modi's 84 trips in 4.5 years

Narendra Modi's trip to Japan in 2016 - which came immediately demonetisation - led to accusations by Opposition that he was travelling the world while ordinary Indians were struggling

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hectic travel schedule over the past four-and-a-half years cost Indian taxpayers about $280 million (Rs 20.09 billion taking the value of rupee as 71.76 per dollar) as he made 84 trips around the world, according to India’s foreign ministry.

The money spent on each trip, combined with the cost of maintenance on Air India One and setting up a secure hotline, was provided in a response to a lawmaker’s question in parliament by V K Singh, the country’s junior foreign minister.

Since taking office, Modi has maintained a punishing pace of world travel, meeting some global