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In recent months, a video by an Indian travel influencer complaining about India's weak passport gained massive traction on social media.

The influencer stated although neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Bhutan were more welcoming of travelers from India, obtaining visas for visiting most Western and European countries continued to be difficult.

Such concerns regarding India's poor passport strength was reflected in the latest Henley Passport Index, which placed the country at position eighty-five out of 199 countries, a decline of five positions than last year.

Officials in India has not commented on the report so far.

Countries including Rwanda, Ghana and Azerbaijan despite smaller economic size than 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.

Actually, the country's position over the last ten years has remained in the 80s, falling to ninetieth place in 2021. These rankings are dismal when measured against Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore, all maintaining top positions.

What Passport Strength Measures

Passport strength indicates a country's global influence and international standing. This leads to enhanced travel freedom for its citizens, boosting business and educational prospects. Limited passport power results in additional documentation, increased visa expenses, reduced travel benefits and extended processing periods for travel.

However, even with the decline in the rank, the count of nations providing visa-free travel for Indian citizens has actually increased over the last ten years.

As an instance, eight years ago – when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power – 52 countries provided visa-free access to Indians and its passport ranked 76th on the index.

The following year, it fell to eighty-fifth place, then improved to eightieth in 2023 and 2024, declining once more to the 85th position currently. Meanwhile, visa-free destinations for Indians grew from fifty-two eight years ago to sixty last year and 62 in 2024.

Increasing Worldwide Travel Competition

The number of nations allowing visa-free entry this year (57) is higher than the number eight years ago (52), yet India's rank for both these years is 85. So, why is that?

Experts say that a primary factor involves growing competition in international travel – indicating that nations are forming more travel partnerships to benefit their citizens and their economies. As per a 2025 report, the worldwide mean number of destinations travellers are able to access without visas has almost doubled from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025.

As an illustration, China has expanded its count of visa-free countries its citizens can travel to from fifty to eighty-two in the past decade. As a result, its position on the index has improved from 94th to 60th in that same duration.

Meanwhile, India – which was ranked at seventy-seventh place during summer – fell to the 85th position in October following the loss of two nations.

Other Influences Impacting Passport Power

An ex-diplomat from India notes there are other factors that affect the strength of a country's passport, including its economic and political stability as well as its receptiveness to accepting travelers from abroad.

For example, the US passport has dropped out from the top ten currently holding the 12th position – its lowest ever – because of its more inward-looking approach in global affairs.

The diplomat mentioned how in the 1970s, Indians enjoyed visa-free access to many Western and European countries, though this shifted following Khalistan movement during the eighties. Later political disturbances have continued to damage the country's reputation as a stable democracy.

"Many countries are growing increasingly wary regarding migrants," the diplomat added. "India has a high number of citizens emigrating overseas or overstaying their visas affecting the national image."

Elements like the security level a country's passport is and immigration processes also play a role in gaining visa-free entry to other countries.

Enhanced Security Measures

The Indian passport faces ongoing security risks. In 2024, law enforcement arrested 203 people for suspected passport and visa irregularities. The country also has cumbersome immigration procedures with lengthy timelines for visa approvals.

The diplomat says that technological advances, like India's recently-launched electronic passport or e-passport, may enhance safety and streamline immigration. The e-passport includes a microchip that stores biometric data, increasing difficulty to counterfeit or alter the passport.

However, more diplomatic outreach and travel partnerships continue essential for enhancing the global mobility of Indians and consequently, the Indian passport's global position.