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Earlier this year, an online clip from an Indian travel influencer expressing frustration over India's weak passport went viral across digital platforms.

The influencer stated although nearby nations such as Bhutan and Sri Lanka offered easier access of Indian tourists, securing travel permits to travel to most Western and European countries continued to be difficult.

This dissatisfaction regarding India's poor passport strength found confirmation in recent global passport ranking, ranking India at position eighty-five among 199 countries, five spots lower compared to the previous year.

Officials in India has not commented on the report so far.

Nations including Rwanda, Ghana and Azerbaijan with much smaller economies than India – which is the world's fifth biggest economy – are ranked higher on the index at the 78th, 74th and 72nd spots, in that order.

Actually, the country's position in the past decade has remained in the 80s, even dipping to ninetieth place two years ago. Such standings are dismal when measured against Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore, all maintaining top positions.

What Passport Strength Measures

The power of a passport indicates a country's global influence and international standing. It also translates into better mobility for passport holders, improving commercial and learning opportunities. A weak passport results in additional documentation, 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 for Indian citizens has actually increased in the past decade or so.

As an instance, eight years ago – when the current administration's ruling party came to power – 52 countries offered visa-free access for Indian passport holders and its passport ranked 76th on the index.

The following year, it fell to eighty-fifth place, then rose to 80th in 2023 and 2024, declining once more to the eighty-fifth spot currently. At the same time, visa-free destinations to Indian citizens increased from fifty-two eight years ago to sixty last year and 62 in 2024.

Increasing Worldwide Travel Competition

The number of nations allowing visa-free entry in 2025 (fifty-seven) is higher than the number eight years ago (52), but India's rank during both periods is 85. So, why is that?

Analysts note that a major reason involves growing competition in international travel – indicating that nations are entering into more travel partnerships for their populations' advantage and their economies. As per a 2025 report, the worldwide mean number of destinations people can visit without visas has almost doubled from 58 in 2006 to one hundred nine currently.

For example, China has increased the number of visa-free destinations its citizens can travel to from 50 to 82 over the last ten years. Consequently, its position in the ranking has improved from 94th to 60th during the same time period.

In comparison, The Indian passport – which was ranked 77th on the index during summer – dropped to the 85th position in October following the loss of two nations.

Other Influences Affecting Passport Strength

An ex-diplomat from India says there are other factors that affect the strength of a country's passport, like economic and political conditions plus its openness to welcoming citizens from other countries.

For instance, the US passport has fallen of the top 10 and now occupies twelfth place – its lowest ever – due to its increasingly insular stance in world politics.

The former ambassador recalls that during the seventies, Indians enjoyed visa-free travel to many Western and European countries, but that changed following Khalistan movement in the 1980s. Subsequent political upheavals have continued to damage at India's image as a stable democracy.

"Many countries are also becoming more cautious of immigrants," he stated. "India has a large quantity of people migrating overseas or remaining beyond visa limits affecting the country's reputation."

Factors like the security level a country's passport is and immigration processes also contribute in gaining visa-free entry to other countries.

Enhanced Security Measures

India's passport faces ongoing security threats. Last year, authorities arrested 203 people for alleged passport and visa irregularities. The country also has cumbersome immigration procedures and a slow pace for visa approvals.

The diplomat indicated that new technologies, such as the newly introduced electronic passport or e-passport, may enhance safety and ease the immigration process. The e-passport contains a microchip holding biometric data, increasing difficulty to forge or tamper with the passport.

However, increased diplomatic efforts and travel agreements continue essential for enhancing the global mobility for Indian citizens and, by extension, India's passport ranking.