Indian Passport Gains Strength, Jumps 10 Places in Henley Index

Henley Passport Index: Positive news has emerged for India on the passport ranking front. India’s position has improved in the latest Henley Passport Index. This time, the Indian passport has been ranked 75th, compared to its previous 85th position. This represents a 10-place jump in the ranking, which is considered significant in terms of global mobility.

What does the Henley Passport Index reveal?

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports from all countries of the world based on the number of countries they can travel to without a visa, with a visa on arrival, or with an e-visa. According to the current ranking, Indian passport holders now have easy access to a total of 56 countries. This number has increased compared to the previous ranking, strengthening the international reach of Indian travelers.

What will Indian travelers benefit from?

The improvement in ranking has a direct impact on travel facilities for Indian citizens. Now, traveling abroad with an Indian passport will be possible with fewer formalities than before. This will boost tourism, business travel, education, and cultural exchange. Many countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Oceania have simplified entry procedures for Indian citizens, which is considered a major reason for this improvement.

How India Has Fared in the Past

Reflecting on past years, India’s passport ranking has fluctuated. In 2006, India reached 71st place, but then declined for a few years. Now, India’s position appears to be strengthening once again, which is considered a positive sign for the future.

Learn about the list of visa-free countries

Talking about visa-free countries, it includes countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Philippines, Thailand, Seychelles, Jamaica, Barbados, and Fiji, where Indian citizens can travel without a visa. There are several countries where Indians are granted a visa-on-arrival, such as the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia, Qatar, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

In addition, there are a large number of countries where Indian passport holders can enter via an e-visa. These include countries like Singapore, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, Oman, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa.

Overall, this improvement in the Indian passport’s ranking not only brings relief to travelers but also strengthens India’s international standing. If such agreements increase in the future, the strength of the Indian passport could increase further.