Why India’s Passport Has Fallen in Global Ranking Despite Rising Global Mobility

India’s passport, once considered a symbol of growing international presence, has slipped five places to the 85th position out of 199 countries in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025, continuing a decade-long struggle to improve its global standing.

📉 India’s Passport Drops to 85th Rank

According to the Henley Passport Index that ranks passports by counting the number of countries a passport holder can visit without a visa, India is now at the same level as Mauritania, with both countries allowing visa-free entry to 57 countries. Over the years, the number of countries giving Indians visa-free entry has increased, yet still other countries have been growing their travel partnerships quicker, thus India has been pushed down the list.

On the other hand, Singapore still holds the first place in the index by providing visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). Economies like Azerbaijan (72), Ghana (74), and Rwanda (78) which are not very big in size, are also ahead of India in ranking.

🌍 Passport Strength and Global Influence

Passport strength reflects a nation’s soft power and global influence. A stronger passport allows easier international travel, business expansion, and educational opportunities. A weaker one, however, means more paperwork, higher visa costs, and longer waiting times — all of which affect citizens’ mobility and global perception.

📈 A Decade of Slow Progress

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, India’s passport ranked 76th, with 52 visa-free destinations. Over the years, the number rose to 62 countries in 2024, but India’s rank barely moved, fluctuating between 80th and 90th.

2014: 76th rank, 52 visa-free destinations

2021: Dropped to 90th

2024: Improved to 80th

2025: Down again to 85th (57 visa-free countries)

The drop in ranking is not due to India losing visa-free access, but because other countries have made more diplomatic progress.

🌐 Global Competition in Mobility

Experts say the global travel landscape is becoming increasingly competitive. Countries are signing new visa-waiver agreements to expand mobility and strengthen economic ties.

According to Henley & Partners’ 2025 report, the global average of visa-free destinations has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025.

For instance, China increased its visa-free destinations from 50 to 82 over the past decade, improving its rank from 94th to 60th — a leap that highlights India’s slow diplomatic pace.

🛂 Challenges: Security, Immigration & Image

Former Indian ambassador Achal Malhotra points out that passport strength is influenced by several factors — economic stability, political trust, and a nation’s openness to foreign visitors.

He notes that India’s global image has fluctuated due to political movements, migration trends, and internal security issues.

“India has a large number of citizens overstaying visas abroad, which affects international confidence,” he says. “Additionally, frequent reports of passport fraud and slow immigration processing tarnish its reputation.”

In 2024 alone, Delhi Police arrested over 200 people for alleged visa and passport fraud cases.

💳 Can Technology Help?

The government’s introduction of the electronic passport (e-passport) is a step toward improving document security and simplifying immigration checks. The e-passport contains a biometric chip that makes forgery more difficult and enhances verification speed.

However, experts emphasize that stronger diplomatic engagement and new travel partnerships are crucial to boosting India’s passport power. “Technology can only go so far,” says Malhotra. “Real progress will come when India expands its global agreements and strengthens trust with partner nations.”

✈️ The Road Ahead

India’s passport might be facing headwinds now, but rising global influence, expanding trade relations, and improved international collaborations could help reverse the trend in the coming years. Strengthening foreign policy ties and simplifying visa processes remain key to ensuring Indian citizens enjoy greater global mobility.