India’s current position in the Henley Passport Index is shared with two African countries, Equatorial Guinea and Niger, a far cry from the country becoming ‘Vishwaguru’
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Despite India’s purported growing global influence, its passport remains one of the weakest among the G-20 nations, forcing citizens to navigate a maze of visa applications, rejections, and long waiting periods.
According to the latest Henley Passport Index, the Indian passport ranks among the lowest within the G-20, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just over 60 countries. This is in stark contrast to nations like Japan, the United States, and Germany, whose citizens can travel visa-free to over 180 destinations. The disparity raises questions about India’s global mobility and diplomatic clout.
For young professionals, students, and business travellers, a weak passport status translates into significant hurdles.
As reported in media, 28-year-old Aditya Mehra clutched his Indian passport, his dreams of traveling to Europe for work fading fast. He had secured a job in France but struggled with his visa process. “The paperwork, the interviews, the financial proofs — it’s exhausting and expensive,” he lamented.
Even for tourism, Indian travellers often face extensive documentation requirements, including proof of funds, return tickets, and travel histories, making spontaneous trips nearly impossible. Businesspersons, too, struggle with last-minute travel plans due to slow visa approvals.
India’s position in the latest Henley Passport index dipped from 80 in 2024 to 85 in 2025, continuing the downward trend for the country’s passport strength. While the national media has been building a narrative of more countries ‘respecting and welcoming’ India on the global stage, the 2025 passport index ranking contradicts that narrative.
India’s current position in the index is shared with two African countries, Equatorial Guinea and Niger, a far cry from the country becoming ‘Vishwaguru‘ (global leader) campaign.
