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In recent months, a video by an Indian travel influencer expressing frustration over the limited power of the Indian passport went viral across digital platforms.

He mentioned that while nearby nations like Bhutan and Sri Lanka were more welcoming of Indian tourists, securing travel permits for visiting most Western and European countries remained a challenge.

This dissatisfaction regarding India's poor passport strength was reflected in recent Henley Passport Index, ranking India in the 85th spot among nearly two hundred nations, five spots lower compared to the previous year.

The Indian government has not commented on the report so far.

Countries like Rwanda, Ghana and Azerbaijan despite smaller economic size than India – a nation that is the world's fifth biggest economy – hold better positions on the index in the seventies range, respectively.

Actually, the country's position over the last ten years has remained in the 80s, even dipping to ninetieth place two years ago. Such standings are dismal when measured against Asian nations like Singapore, Japan and South Korea, which have consistently held top positions.

What Passport Strength Indicates

Passport strength indicates a country's global influence and global influence. It also translates into enhanced travel freedom for passport holders, improving commercial and learning opportunities. Limited passport power results in more paperwork, increased visa expenses, fewer travel privileges and extended processing periods when journeying.

But despite the drop in position, the count of nations providing visa-free travel for Indian citizens has grown over the last ten years.

For example, eight years ago – when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party came to power – fifty-two nations offered visa-free travel for Indian passport holders with the passport ranked 76th in the ranking.

The following year, it fell to the 85th position, then rose to 80th over the past two years, declining once more to the 85th position currently. Meanwhile, visa-free destinations to Indian citizens increased from 52 in 2015 to 60 in 2023 and sixty-two this year.

Increasing Worldwide Travel Competition

The count of visa-free destinations this year (fifty-seven) exceeds the number eight years ago (52), yet the country's position for both these years is 85. What explains this situation?

Experts say that a primary factor involves growing competition in global mobility – meaning nations are forming more travel partnerships for their populations' advantage and economic growth. As per a 2025 report, the global average count of countries people can visit without visas has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to one hundred nine currently.

For example, China has expanded its count of visa-free countries available to its citizens 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 77th on the index in July – dropped to the 85th position in October after losing access of two nations.

Other Influences Affecting Passport Strength

A former Indian ambassador says multiple elements influencing a nation's passport power, like economic and political conditions as well as its receptiveness to welcoming citizens from abroad.

For example, the American passport has dropped out from the top ten currently holding the 12th position – a historic low – due to its increasingly insular stance in world politics.

The diplomat mentioned how in the 1970s, Indians enjoyed visa-free access to many Western and European countries, but that changed after the Sikh separatist movement during the eighties. Later political disturbances have further chipped away at India's image as a stable, democratic country.

"Many countries are growing increasingly wary of immigrants," the diplomat added. "India has a large quantity of citizens emigrating overseas or overstaying their visas and that interferes with the national image."

Factors like how secure of a national passport and immigration processes also play a role to obtaining visa-free entry to other countries.

Security and Technological Improvements

The Indian passport faces ongoing security threats. Last year, authorities detained over two hundred individuals for suspected passport and visa irregularities. The country also has complex immigration processes and a slow pace of visa processing.

The diplomat says that new technologies, such as the newly introduced digital passport or e-passport, may enhance safety and streamline immigration. This electronic document includes a small chip that stores biometric information, increasing difficulty to counterfeit or alter the document.

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