In recent months, an online clip from an Indian travel influencer expressing frustration over India's weak passport gained massive traction on social media.
The influencer stated although neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka and Bhutan were more welcoming of travelers from India, obtaining visas to travel to most Western and European countries continued to be difficult.
This dissatisfaction with the limited global access of Indian passports found confirmation in the latest Henley Passport Index, which placed the country at position eighty-five among nearly two hundred nations, five spots lower than last year.
The Indian government have not issued a statement regarding these findings yet.
Countries including Ghana, Rwanda and Azerbaijan despite smaller economic size compared to India – which is the world's fifth biggest economy – hold better positions on the index at the 78th, 74th and 72nd spots, in that order.
In fact, the country's position in the past decade has remained around the eighties, falling to the 90th spot two years ago. Such standings appear poor compared to other Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore, all maintaining top positions.
Global Passport Power Indicates
Passport strength reflects a nation's soft power and global influence. It also translates into enhanced travel freedom for passport holders, boosting business and educational prospects. Limited passport power results in more paperwork, increased visa expenses, reduced travel benefits and longer waiting times for travel.
However, even with the drop in position, the count of nations offering visa-free access for Indian citizens has actually increased in the past decade or so.
As an instance, eight years ago – when the current administration's ruling party came to power – 52 countries offered visa-free access for Indian passport holders and its passport ranked 76th on the index.
A year later, it tumbled to the 85th position, then rose to eightieth over the past two years, declining once more to the eighty-fifth spot this year. At the same time, visa-free destinations to Indian citizens increased from fifty-two eight years ago to sixty last year and sixty-two this year.
Increasing Worldwide Travel Competition
The count of nations allowing visa-free entry this year (57) is higher than the number eight years ago (52), but India's rank during both periods remains at eighty-fifth. What explains this situation?
Analysts note that a primary factor involves growing competition in international travel – meaning nations are forming more travel partnerships to benefit their citizens and economic growth. As per recent analysis, the global average number of destinations people can visit visa-free has almost doubled from 58 in 2006 to one hundred nine currently.
For example, China has expanded its count of visa-free countries its citizens can travel to from 50 to 82 over the last ten years. Consequently, its rank in the ranking has improved from 94th to 60th during the same time period.
Meanwhile, The Indian passport – which was ranked at seventy-seventh place during summer – dropped to eighty-fifth place in October following the loss of two nations.
Other Influences Impacting Passport Power
An ex-diplomat from India says multiple elements influencing the strength of a country's passport, including its economic and political stability plus its receptiveness to welcoming citizens from other countries.
For instance, the US passport has fallen from the top ten and now occupies twelfth place – its lowest ever – due to its increasingly insular stance in global affairs.
The former ambassador recalls that during the seventies, Indians enjoyed visa-free access to numerous European and Western nations, though this shifted after the Sikh separatist movement in the 1980s. Subsequent political upheavals have further chipped away at India's image as a stable, democratic country.
"Many countries are also becoming more cautious regarding migrants," the diplomat added. "The country possesses a high number of citizens emigrating to other countries or remaining beyond visa limits affecting the national image."
Elements such as the security level of a national passport and immigration processes also play a role to obtaining visa-free entry to foreign nations.
Enhanced Security Measures
India's passport remains vulnerable to security threats. In 2024, authorities arrested over two hundred individuals for suspected visa and passport fraud. India is also known for cumbersome immigration procedures with lengthy timelines for visa approvals.
The former ambassador says that new technologies, like India's recently-launched electronic passport or e-passport, can improve security and streamline immigration. The e-passport includes a small chip holding biometric data, increasing difficulty to forge or tamper with the passport.
But, increased diplomatic efforts and travel partnerships remain key for enhancing international travel freedom for Indian citizens and, by extension, India's passport ranking.
