New Delhi, India – October 2025
The Indian passport has made significant strides in global mobility, with a notable leap to 85th place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index (HPI), a global ranking that measures the strength of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without requiring a prior visa. This marks a significant improvement for India’s passport, reflecting both the country’s growing diplomatic ties and its increasing prominence in the global travel landscape.
Visa-Free Travel Expands for Indian Citizens
According to the latest rankings, Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 60-65 countries and territories. While this still places India well behind some of the world’s most powerful passports, such as Japan, Singapore, and Germany, it marks steady progress from its previous years’ positions. Indian passport holders can now easily travel to popular destinations in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, including countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Kenya.
The ranking places India ahead of neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, further cementing its regional importance. In contrast, countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan rank higher due to their strategic visa agreements with neighboring countries, making regional travel easier for their citizens.
Factors Driving India’s Improved Ranking
The rise in India’s passport strength can be attributed to several key factors:
- Diplomatic Relations: Over the last few years, India has strengthened its diplomatic ties with numerous countries. Trade partnerships, cultural exchanges, and visa liberalization agreements have played a significant role in increasing mobility for Indian passport holders.
- Bilateral Agreements: India has signed a series of agreements with countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, paving the way for visa-on-arrival and e-visa facilities. These measures have opened up travel opportunities for millions of Indians, especially to countries like Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- Increased Global Influence: India’s growing influence in global politics, business, and technology has led to increased mobility for its citizens. As India becomes a major player on the world stage, foreign nations are becoming more inclined to ease visa restrictions for Indian travelers.
- Government Initiatives: The Indian government’s push to enhance international connectivity through initiatives like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) and its focus on securing e-Visas has played a role in improving India’s global standing. Additionally, ongoing reforms in consular services have streamlined visa application processes for citizens traveling abroad.
India’s Visa Access Compared to Other Countries
While India has made progress, its passport still lags behind some of the most powerful passports globally. Countries such as Japan, Singapore, and Germany hold the top spots with holders enjoying access to over 190 destinations without requiring a visa.
- Japan: 193 destinations
- Singapore: 193 destinations
- South Korea: 191 destinations
- Germany: 190 destinations
- Italy: 189 destinations
Despite the gap, Indian passport holders are benefiting from increased access to regions that were traditionally harder to enter, especially in Europe and Oceania. European Union countries, for example, have begun offering easier visa processes for Indian travelers, and Australia has been increasingly lenient in granting tourist visas, particularly in recent years.
Regional and Global Trends Affecting Indian Passport Mobility
India’s improving position reflects broader regional trends as well. Neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan have long enjoyed visa-free travel with India, owing to strong bilateral agreements. In addition, India’s growing influence in the BRICS nations has resulted in enhanced travel privileges for its citizens within these countries.
However, challenges remain. For instance, Indian passport holders still face strict visa requirements when traveling to certain Western countries, particularly in North America and Europe. The United States and Canada remain among the most difficult countries to gain entry to, especially for travelers seeking tourist or business visas.
What Does the Future Hold for the Indian Passport?
Looking ahead, India is expected to continue improving its passport rank, with several initiatives currently in progress. India-EU agreements are likely to result in easier travel to European destinations in the near future, while negotiations with Middle Eastern and Asian countries may lead to further relaxation of visa requirements.
Additionally, India’s ambitious plans to boost tourism and attract foreign business investments will likely contribute to further liberalization of travel for Indian passport holders. With Indian outbound tourism expected to grow exponentially in the next decade, easing travel restrictions will continue to be a priority for both the government and the private sector.
Conclusion
The 2025 Henley Passport Index confirms that India’s passport is on an upward trajectory, marking important progress in international mobility for Indian citizens. As India strengthens its position as a global economic and diplomatic power, Indian passport holders will likely see even more benefits in the form of visa-free access, e-visas, and visa-on-arrival opportunities across the world.
Though India’s passport still has a long way to go to match the strength of the world’s top passports, the momentum is unmistakable. Travelers from India can look forward to even greater ease of travel in the years ahead.
