🔗 Share this article Why the National Passport Is Falling in Worldwide Standing India's passport ranks 85th position out of 199 countries according to the global passport ranking index In recent months, an online clip from a popular travel content creator expressing frustration over the limited power of the Indian passport went viral across digital platforms. The influencer stated that while neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Bhutan were more welcoming to travelers from India, obtaining visas to travel to most Western and European countries remained a challenge. This dissatisfaction with the limited global access of Indian passports found confirmation in recent Henley Passport Index, ranking the country in the 85th spot among 199 countries, five spots lower compared to the previous year. The Indian government have not issued a statement regarding these findings so far. Nations like Rwanda, Ghana and Azerbaijan with much smaller economies compared to India – a nation that is the fifth-largest economy globally – are ranked higher in the ranking at the 78th, 74th and 72nd spots, in that order. In fact, the country's position in the past decade has hovered around the eighties, falling to the 90th spot two years ago. Such standings appear poor compared to other Asian countries such as Singapore, Japan and South Korea, which have consistently held leading ranks. Indian passport holders can enjoy travel without visas in fifty-seven nations What Passport Strength Measures The power of a passport indicates a country's global influence and international standing. This leads to better mobility for its citizens, boosting business and educational prospects. Limited passport power results in additional documentation, increased visa expenses, fewer travel privileges and extended processing periods when journeying. But despite the drop in position, the count of nations offering visa-free access for Indian citizens has actually increased over the last ten years. As an instance, in 2014 – when the current administration's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power – fifty-two nations offered visa-free travel to Indians and its passport at seventy-sixth position in the ranking. A year later, it fell to eighty-fifth place, then improved to eightieth in 2023 and 2024, declining once more to the eighty-fifth spot this year. At the same time, countries allowing visa-free travel to Indian citizens grew from 52 in 2015 to sixty last year and sixty-two this year. The Competitive Global Mobility Landscape The number of visa-free destinations this year (fifty-seven) exceeds what it was in 2015 (fifty-two), but the country's position for both these years is 85. What explains this situation? Analysts note that a primary factor involves growing competition in global mobility – indicating that nations are forming more travel partnerships to benefit their citizens and their economies. According to a 2025 report, the global average count of countries people can visit visa-free has almost doubled from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025. For example, China has increased its count of visa-free destinations its citizens can travel to from fifty to eighty-two in the past decade. Consequently, its position in the ranking has improved from ninety-fourth to sixtieth during the same time period. Meanwhile, India – previously positioned 77th on the index in July – fell to the 85th position in October following the loss of two nations. Singapore's passport is the most powerful globally Additional Factors Affecting Passport Strength An ex-diplomat from India notes there are other factors influencing the strength of a country's passport, like economic and political conditions plus its receptiveness to accepting travelers from abroad. For example, the US passport has dropped out of the top 10 currently holding the 12th position – a historic low – because of its increasingly insular stance in global affairs. The former ambassador mentioned that during the seventies, Indians enjoyed visa-free access to numerous European and Western nations, but that changed following Khalistan movement during the eighties. Subsequent political upheavals have continued to damage at India's image as a stable democracy. "Many countries are growing increasingly wary of immigrants," he stated. "India has a large quantity of people migrating to other countries or overstaying their visas and that interferes with the national image." Elements like how secure a country's passport is and its immigration procedures also contribute in gaining visa-free entry to other countries. Enhanced Security Measures The Indian passport remains vulnerable to security threats. Last year, authorities arrested over two hundred individuals for alleged passport and visa irregularities. The country also has complex immigration processes with lengthy timelines of visa processing. The former ambassador indicated that new technologies, like India's recently-launched digital passport or e-passport, can improve security and streamline immigration. The e-passport contains a microchip that stores biometric information, making it harder to forge or tamper with the passport. But, increased diplomatic efforts and travel agreements remain key for enhancing the global mobility for Indian citizens and consequently, the Indian passport's global position.