In recent discussions about the strength of India’s passport, a travel influencer’s viral video highlighted the difficulties faced by Indian tourists in obtaining visas for various countries. The Henley Passport Index currently ranks India’s passport 85th out of 199 countries, a decline of five positions from the previous year. The Indian government has not yet responded to this report, although inquiries have been made to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Countries such as Rwanda, Ghana, and Azerbaijan, with smaller economies than India, hold higher rankings on the index. In the last decade, India’s passport has consistently maintained a status in the 80s, even dropping to the 90th position in 2021. In comparison, Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore consistently rank at the top, with Singapore leading this year with visa-free access to 193 countries.
Currently, Indian passport holders benefit from visa-free access to 57 countries, comparable to citizens of Mauritania, which shares India’s rank. Despite the drop in ranking, the number of countries allowing visa-free access to Indians has increased—growing from 52 in 2014 to 62 in 2024. This presents a contrasting picture, as India’s position remains 85th in both years.
Experts attribute the fluctuation in rankings partly to the competitive global mobility landscape. China, for example, has moved up from 94th to 60th as it has increased access for its citizens.
Factors affecting passport strength include economic and political stability, as well as a country’s willingness to embrace foreign nationals. Issues such as visa fraud and slow processing times have also been identified as hindrances to improving India’s passport status. Technological advancements, like the introduction of an electronic passport, may improve security, but broader diplomatic efforts are seen as crucial for enhancing the mobility of Indian citizens.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ep1epqjkpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss