Indian passport weakest among G-20 nations, slips to 85th in global index
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Contrary to the narrative promoted by BJP-allied groups about India gaining respect and recognition on the global stage, the recent Henley Passport Index ranking shows a decline in the Indian passport's position from 80 in 2024 to 85 in 2025, continuing a trend of weakening passport strength.
The index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), evaluates the number of destinations passport holders can visit without a visa. India’s current standing allows its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 57 destinations, predominantly small island nations and overseas territories reliant on tourism.
Despite efforts to position India as a formidable player in international politics, its passport ranking tells a different story, placing it alongside Equatorial Guinea and Niger, two African nations, and far from the envisioned status of a 'Vishwaguru' or global leader, siasat daily reported.
Among the G-20 nations, India's passport remains the weakest, with limited visa-free access compared to other members. Countries like Australia, Canada, and the USA rank significantly higher, with extensive visa-free access to numerous destinations. Even Turkey, another G-20 member, holds a stronger position at 46th, offering access to 116 destinations without a visa. Western European nations, along with Latin American countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, also outperform India in the passport rankings.
India's Asian counterparts, including China, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea, offer their citizens more extensive travel freedom. Within the BRICS geopolitical bloc, India’s passport is the weakest. Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa all have higher rankings, with Brazil leading at 18th place, granting access to 171 destinations. Newer BRICS members like the UAE and Indonesia also rank higher, while only Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia have weaker passports than India.
China's steady rise in the passport index highlights a stark contrast. In 2015, China was ranked 94th, slightly below India at 88th. Over the last decade, China has climbed to 60th place, providing its citizens visa-free access to 85 destinations. This improvement occurs against the backdrop of a more confrontational relationship between India and China during the Modi administration's second term.
The recent G-20 summit held in India in 2023 was presented as a milestone in India's ascent as a global economic power. However, the Henley Passport Index suggests a different narrative, with India lagging behind its G-20 peers in terms of passport strength.
While the country continues to strive for a stronger international presence, its passport's diminished ranking underscores the challenges Indian citizens face in accessing global travel without the constraints of visa requirements.