Indian Passport Falls to 85th Rank in Henley Passport Index 2025
Decline in Mobility: Indian Passport Now Ranked 85th Globally
The Henley Passport Index 2025, published bi-annually by Henley and Partners, has revealed a significant decline in the global ranking of the Indian passport. Dropping five positions from last year’s 80th spot, the Indian passport is now ranked 85th, with visa-free access to 57 countries. This marks a notable decline in the mobility of Indian passport holders and highlights challenges in global travel opportunities for Indian citizens.
A Decline in Mobility: Indian Passport at Its Lowest Since 2021
This is the lowest rank for the Indian passport since 2021 when it held the 90th position with visa-free access to 58 destinations. Comparatively, in 2024, Indian passport holders could travel to 62 countries without a visa, showcasing a sharp drop in the current year.
The decline reflects shifting global alliances, tightened visa regulations, and possibly India’s diplomatic outreach being outpaced by other nations. Countries like Equatorial Guinea and Niger share the same ranking as India, both providing visa-free access to 57 countries.
Global Passport Rankings: Singapore Leads, US Declines
Singapore maintains its dominance as the world’s most powerful passport for the second consecutive year, offering visa-free travel to 195 destinations. It is followed by Japan at 193 destinations and a group of European nations—France, Germany, and Italy—falling to the third position with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
In a surprising trend, passports from the European Union continue to dominate the top 20 spots, while major global players like the United States have seen a significant decline. Over the past decade, the US passport has fallen from second to ninth, with visa-free access to 186 countries.
Meanwhile, China has experienced one of the most remarkable climbs, jumping 34 places over the last decade. The Chinese passport, ranked 60th, now offers visa-free access to 85 countries, underscoring China’s growing diplomatic influence.
India in Comparison: Neighbours Outpace in Rankings
India’s ranking in South Asia trails behind that of the Maldives, which holds the 53rd position with visa-free access to 94 countries. Other neighbours like Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka also offer fewer mobility options but remain competitive in the rankings.
- Maldives: Rank 53, Visa-free to 94 countries
- Nepal: Rank 101, Visa-free to 39 countries
- Bangladesh: Rank 100, Visa-free to 40 countries
- Bhutan: Rank 93, Visa-free to 52 countries
- Sri Lanka: Rank 95, Visa-free to 44 countries
The Henley Passport Index: A Benchmark for Mobility
The Henley Passport Index is regarded as the premier ranking of the world’s passports. Based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), it evaluates 199 passports across 227 destinations, analyzing visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and e-visa privileges.
Future Implications for India
India’s declining rank highlights a pressing need for improved diplomatic initiatives to strengthen bilateral relations and negotiate visa-free access agreements. Additionally, policy adjustments aimed at simplifying international travel for Indian citizens could reverse this downward trend.
A Global Perspective on Passport Power
The Henley Passport Index not only serves as a metric for travel freedom but also reflects a nation’s geopolitical influence. While Asian passports like Singapore and Japan dominate the rankings, the US and UK exemplify the challenges of inward-looking policies, as noted by experts like Annie Pforzheimer of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“China’s rise in the Henley Passport Index reflects Asia’s increasing soft power dominance, contrasted with Western nations experiencing declining influence,” remarked Pforzheimer.
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