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Earlier this year, a video by a popular travel content creator complaining about the limited power of the Indian passport went viral on social media.

The influencer stated although neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Sri Lanka offered easier access of travelers from India, securing travel permits to travel to most Western and European countries continued to be difficult.

This dissatisfaction with India's poor passport strength was reflected in the latest Henley Passport Index, ranking India in the 85th spot out of 199 countries, five spots lower than last year.

The Indian government have not issued a statement on the report yet.

Nations including Ghana, Rwanda and Azerbaijan with much smaller economies compared to India – a nation that is the world's fifth biggest economy – hold better positions in the ranking in the seventies range, respectively.

Actually, India's rank over the last ten years has remained in the 80s, falling to the 90th spot in 2021. These rankings are dismal when measured against other Asian countries like Singapore, Japan and South Korea, all maintaining top positions.

What Passport Strength Measures

Passport strength indicates a country's global influence and international standing. It also translates into enhanced travel freedom for passport holders, boosting business and educational prospects. A weak passport means more paperwork, higher visa costs, fewer travel privileges and longer waiting times when journeying.

But despite the decline in the rank, the number of countries offering visa-free access to Indians has grown over the last ten years.

For example, eight years ago – when the current administration's ruling party came to power – 52 countries provided visa-free travel for Indian passport holders with the passport ranked 76th in the ranking.

A year later, it fell to eighty-fifth place, then rose to 80th over the past two years, declining once more to the 85th position this year. Meanwhile, visa-free destinations for Indians increased from fifty-two eight years ago to sixty last year and 62 in 2024.

Increasing Worldwide Travel Competition

The number of visa-free destinations in 2025 (57) exceeds the number eight years ago (52), but the country's position for both these years remains at eighty-fifth. So, why is that?

Analysts note that a major reason involves growing competition in international travel – indicating that nations are forming additional travel agreements for their populations' advantage and their economies. As per recent analysis, the global average number of destinations travellers are able to access without visas has nearly doubled from fifty-eight nineteen years ago to 109 in 2025.

As an illustration, The Chinese passport has increased its count of visa-free countries available to its citizens from fifty to eighty-two over the last ten years. Consequently, its rank in the ranking has improved from ninety-fourth to sixtieth in that same duration.

In comparison, The Indian passport – previously positioned 77th on the index in July – fell to eighty-fifth place in October after losing access to two countries.

Other Influences Impacting Passport Power

An ex-diplomat from India says there are other factors influencing the strength of a country's passport, including economic and political conditions plus its receptiveness to welcoming citizens from abroad.

For instance, the American passport has dropped out from the top ten currently holding twelfth place – its lowest ever – because of its increasingly insular stance in world politics.

The former ambassador mentioned that during the seventies, Indians enjoyed visa-free access to numerous European and Western nations, though this shifted following Khalistan movement during the eighties. Subsequent political upheavals have further chipped away the country's reputation as a stable, democratic country.

"Many countries are growing increasingly wary of immigrants," the diplomat added. "India has a high number of citizens emigrating overseas or overstaying their visas affecting the country's reputation."

Factors like the security level of a national passport and immigration processes also contribute to obtaining visa-free access to foreign nations.

Enhanced Security Measures

India's passport faces ongoing security threats. In 2024, law enforcement arrested over two hundred individuals for suspected passport and visa irregularities. India is also known for complex immigration processes with lengthy timelines for visa approvals.

The diplomat says that new technologies, like India's recently-launched digital passport or e-passport, can improve security and streamline immigration. The e-passport includes a microchip holding biometric information, making it harder to forge or tamper with the passport.

However, increased diplomatic efforts and travel partnerships remain key to boosting the global mobility of Indians and consequently, India's passport ranking.