(Commonwealth_India) India’s passport has silently taken a phase up in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, and although it’s not a significant jump, it’s a small but expressive change for the masses of Indians who envision seeing more of the world. Whether it is students eager to study abroad, families unifying across borders, or travelers just longing for new experiences, this uncertain enhancement means a little less red tape—and a little more opportunity.
Indian passport holders can now travel to over 60 countries either visa-free or with a visa on arrival. This may not seem like a vast number related to some of the top-ranking nations, but it’s still a welcome growth. Fewer embassy visits, less paperwork, and more freedom to plan spur-of-the-moment trips—these things matter when you’re trying to make the most of your time and resources.
A statement by The Times of India highlights a stimulating global trend: once-dominant nations like the US and UK have been slithering down the passport rankings, while nations across Asia are on the rise. It’s a change that says a lot about how the world is shifting. Robust diplomatic ties, smart global partnerships, and reliable foreign procedure are now just as significant—if not more so—than past clout.
India’s rise in the index this year is small but steady. Compared to the previous year, it’s a minor improvement, yet still something to build on. However, if you look back further, the picture gets more complicated. India currently sits at 77th in the world—better than some, but still behind where it stood in 2006, when it reached its all-time high of 71st. Since then, India’s rise and fall has been influenced by global politics, visa negotiations, and international relations.
For now, Indian travelers find the most welcoming destinations in Southeast Asia and Africa. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Maldives, along with several African nations, offer visas on arrival or user-friendly e-visas. These sites have grown more common with Indian travelers and experts alike, not just because of convenience, but because of the social warmth and shared ties that exist between these districts and India.
India also holds up fairly well when compared to its South Asian neighbours. Bhutan is ranked 84th, while Sri Lanka is at 91st. Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan fall further behind. China, however, is comfortably ahead at 60th, with access to 83 destinations without prior visas. That difference in access speaks to the behind-the-scenes diplomacy and international influence that shape these rankings.
Globally, countries like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea are now leading the passport game. Their citizens can visit over 190 destinations without needing to arrange a visa beforehand. That kind of global mobility is the result of decades of building international goodwill, nurturing trade relationships, and staying active in global forums. This was not an overnight phenomenon, nor was it the result of chance.
