(August 7, 2025) The Indian passport just became significantly more powerful — and the world is taking note. This marks the dawn of a new era for India on a global stage. In the newly released Henley Passport Index 2025, India surged eight spots to claim the 77th position — its highest in recent years. While the number itself may seem modest, it reflects a deeper global shift from western countries to Asia.
With visa-free access now extended to 59 countries, the Indian passport is not just a travel document — it’s becoming a symbol of the country’s evolving identity in a multipolar world.
As the world witnesses India’s growing influence, what does the ranking mean for Indian travellers and the travel industry?
Mobility gains signal global shift
Describing the development as a welcome boost for both the Indian travel industry and the country’s presence on the world stage, Vinitaa Rawat, owner and Director of Amazing Vacations, says it signals enhanced mobility for the citizens and carries several implications for the nation and its travel sector.
“For India, it signifies our growing influence and successful foreign policy engagements. Our passport strength is a direct reflection of our diplomatic relationships and our standing in the international community,” she tells Global Indian.
India’s passport power grows, but long road to top remains
She reveals a passport’s strength depends on global perception and diplomatic reciprocity. “As India strengthens ties for its travellers, this can in turn boost inbound tourism by encouraging simpler visa processes for foreign nationals,” points out Vinitaa.
Singapore currently holds the world’s most powerful passport, granting its citizens visa-free access to 193 destinations. Meanwhile, the Indian passport has also gained strength, now allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 countries — a clear sign of India’s expanding global footprint and growing mobility for its citizens.
Vinitaa Rawat , Director of Amazing Vacations
The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking of countries based on the travel freedom of their citizens, calculated by how many destinations a passport holder can enter without a visa or by obtaining one on arrival. The more countries one can access hassle-free, the more powerful the passport is considered.
Can Indian passport become as powerful as the Singapore passport? “Achieving the level of access that a Singaporean passport (193 visa-free destinations) enjoys is a long-term, multi-faceted endeavor. It requires constant efforts in many key areas,” explains Vinitaa.
Diplomacy, economy, and reciprocity key to passport power
Diplomatic efforts comes right at the top. “It has to be constant but that’s not very easy with the current geo-political scenario worldwide,” she feels.
Next comes the economic strength. “High income, stable, and diversified economy is crucial. Countries that have powerful passports, ensure that their citizens are all wealthy enough to not wish to immigrate to another country,” says Vinitaa.
The third key aspect is reciprocity in visa policy. “To get visa-free access, India would likely need to grant it in return. This involves a strategic and gradual opening of its own borders, balanced with national security considerations,” says Vinitaa.
India’s passport access to grow, but gradually
She feels the trend for more visa-free access for Indian passport holders looks positive but will likely be gradual. “Eyes are always going to be on India, being one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. A rising middle class with increasing disposable income makes Indian tourists highly sought after by countries looking to boost their tourism revenue,” she says.
However, progress is also dependent on the principle of reciprocity. “India’s own visa policies for foreign nationals will play a crucial role.”
Furthermore, global security concerns and immigration policies in other nations can also impact the pace of gaining more visa-free access, she adds.
Passport rankings reveal shifting global power
This year’s Henley Passport Index ranking indicates a significant shift in global politics, with western powers on the decline.
For example, the United States has slipped to 10th place and is on the verge of dropping out of the top 10. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has fallen to 6th place.
Asia and Middle East lead global mobility shift
Interestingly, Henley passport Index shows the United Arab Emirates making a remarkable leap from 42nd to 8th place over the last decade. China has also climbed 34 places to the 60th position. Five years ago, Chinese citizens had visa-free access to only 20 countries; now, they enjoy this privilege in over 75 nations.
The trend suggests that global power is shifting from Western nations towards Asia and the Middle East, with India, China, and the UAE leading this change. Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) also supports this, showing that Asia-Pacific airlines have led global air travel growth.
Passport rise boosts confidence for Indian travellers
“India jumping eight spots to 77th on the Henley Passport Index is a step forward — but we see it as just the beginning,” feels Mohtak Nahta, founder of Atlys, an online visa processing platform.
Speaking to Global Indian, he says this development boosts traveler confidence and makes international travel seem more within reach, especially for first-time travellers.
Real change lies in access, not just rankings
“For the travel industry, it’s a positive signal — it’ll likely drive more bookings and open up demand for destinations that were once harder to reach. For India, it reflects a growing global standing.”
But make no mistake, says Mohtak, the real shift will come when access, not just perception, changes at scale.
India is signing more visa-waiver and visa-on-arrival deals — especially with GCC, ASEAN, and Europe through Free Trade Agreements. “Combine that with a booming outbound market and better digital infrastructure, and you’ve got a strong case for continued expansion,” elaborates Mohtak.
Mohtak Nahata, Founder of Atlys
He expects two to four new visa-free agreements every year, pushing mobility forward. “Let’s be clear, this recent bump in ranking isn’t because the Indian passport suddenly became more powerful. It’s because more countries are switching to on-arrival visas & ETAs to attract tourists,” he says.
Tech, policy, and diplomacy key to India’s mobility future
To reach Singapore’s level is not just about policy — it’s unlikely the world will go visa-free for a country as large as India anytime soon.
“The real problem lies in two things: Visas are hard to apply for. Even a perfect application can be rejected due to outdated or overcautious systems,” he says adding that with Skylane – a business-to-government (B2G) – solution designed to transform visa processing systems)
governments are now digitising their visa infrastructure — using smarter underwriting systems to quickly flag genuine travellers and screen out potential risks.
“As this tech tailwind accelerates, an Indian traveller could apply for a visa and get a decision within minutes. You’d still technically need a visa — but the experience would feel like you didn’t.”
India’s eight-place jump on the Henley Passport Index is a strong signal — not just of improved mobility, but of shifting global dynamics. With more countries opting for visa-on-arrival and ETA systems, and India actively pursuing reciprocal agreements, access is slowly expanding. But as experts point out, it’s not just rankings that matter — it’s real-world ease of travel. The future of the Indian passport will depend on continued diplomatic outreach, smarter visa infrastructure, and a balanced approach to security and openness. For now, it’s a step forward — and a sign that India is steadily carving out its place in a world where power and movement are tilting east.
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