NEW DELHI — The Indian passport has demonstrated a significant recovery in global mobility, climbing ten spots to secure the 75th position in the latest Henley Passport Index released this February. The move marks a substantial leap from the 85th rank held in 2025, reflecting New Delhi\’s intensifying diplomatic outreach and the negotiation of new bilateral travel agreements.
According to the 2026 data, Indian citizens can now access 56 destinations worldwide without a prior visa. This includes a combination of visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival (VoA), and electronic travel authorizations (eTA). The recovery is particularly notable as it comes despite technical shifts in the visa policies of countries like Iran and Bolivia, which recently moved Indian travelers to pre-approval e-visa systems.
The upward momentum was bolstered by a series of strategic exemptions in Southeast Asia and Africa. Nations such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan have extended long-term visa-free windows for Indian tourists, while The Gambia was recently added back to the list of accessible destinations in early 2026. These gains have allowed India to outpace regional neighbors; Pakistan and Afghanistan currently occupy the 97th and 101st positions, respectively.
Industry analysts suggest the improved ranking serves as a barometer for India’s growing economic influence. \”Passport strength is a direct reflection of a nation\’s geopolitical stability and its desirability as a trade partner,\” stated a global mobility expert. The expanded access to 15 African states and several Caribbean territories is expected to benefit small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) by reducing the bureaucratic hurdles previously associated with international business scouting.
Despite the 10-rank jump, India still remains below its historical peak of 71st, recorded in 2006. The top of the 2026 index continues to be dominated by Singapore, which holds the world’s most powerful passport with access to 192 countries, followed by Japan and South Korea. For India to break into the top 70, ongoing negotiations for reciprocal short-stay waivers with nations like Oman and Serbia will be critical in the coming months.
Indian Passport Surges to 75th Spot in Global Power Rankings
