Decline of Indian Passport: Exploring the Factors Behind Its Global Ranking Drop
Earlier this year, a video by an Indian travel influencer highlighting the challenges of traveling with an Indian passport gained significant attention on social media. The influencer expressed frustration over India’s passport ranking, which currently sits at 85th out of 199 countries according to the Henley Passport Index. This ranking reflects a decline of five spots from the previous year, raising concerns about the mobility of Indian citizens compared to other nations, including those with smaller economies.
India’s Passport Ranking and Global Context
India’s passport has been a topic of discussion, particularly after the release of the latest Henley Passport Index. The index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a visa. Currently, Indian passport holders can travel to 57 countries visa-free, a figure that places India on par with Mauritania, which shares the same ranking. In contrast, countries like Rwanda, Ghana, and Azerbaijan, despite having smaller economies, rank higher at 78th, 74th, and 72nd, respectively.
Over the past decade, India’s passport ranking has fluctuated, often remaining in the 80s. It even dropped to 90th place in 2021. This is starkly different from the rankings of other Asian nations, such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, which consistently occupy the top spots. Singapore leads the index this year, allowing visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea and Japan with 190 and 189 countries, respectively.
Factors Influencing Passport Strength
The strength of a passport is indicative of a nation’s soft power and global influence, impacting its citizens’ mobility and opportunities. A weaker passport often results in more bureaucratic hurdles, higher visa costs, and longer processing times. Despite India’s declining rank, the number of countries offering visa-free access to Indian citizens has increased over the past decade. In 2014, when the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power, Indian passport holders could travel to 52 countries without a visa. This number has since risen to 62 in 2024, although the passport’s rank has not improved correspondingly.
Experts attribute the stagnant ranking to a competitive global mobility landscape, where countries are forming more travel partnerships to enhance their citizens’ travel experiences. For instance, China has improved its passport ranking from 94th to 60th by increasing the number of visa-free destinations from 50 to 82. In contrast, India’s recent drop from 77th to 85th in the Henley Passport Index is attributed to losing access to two countries.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Several factors contribute to the challenges faced by the Indian passport. Economic and political stability, as well as a country’s openness to foreign visitors, play crucial roles in determining passport strength. The United States, for example, has seen its passport drop to 12th place due to its insular political stance. Former Indian ambassador Achal Malhotra noted that historical events, such as the Khalistan movement in the 1980s, have negatively impacted India’s international reputation.
Moreover, India’s passport faces security vulnerabilities, as evidenced by recent arrests related to visa and passport fraud. The country is also known for its complex immigration procedures, which can deter other nations from granting visa-free access. However, advancements like the introduction of electronic passports could enhance security and streamline the immigration process.
To improve its passport ranking, India must focus on diplomatic outreach and establishing more travel agreements. By fostering better international relations, India can enhance the global mobility of its citizens and potentially improve its standing on the Henley Passport Index.
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