National News: India's passport ranks 77th in the 2025 Henley Index, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 countries, reflecting rising diplomatic strength. Singapore, Japan, and Korea lead the chart. The Indian passport has made a big leap in the recent report of the Henley Passport Index 2025. India has climbed eight places to reach 77th position compared to the last time. India was at 85th position in the year 2024, when its ranking saw a decline. This time the number of visa-free countries for India has increased to 59, which is a positive sign.
In which countries do Indians get visa-free facility?
Indian citizens can now travel visa-free to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Maldives. At the same time, 'Visa on Arrival' facility is also available in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Macau. Overall, Indian passport holders now have visa-free or visa-on-arrival facility in 59 countries of the world.
Asian countries continue to dominate
Asian countries have once again shown their stronghold in the field of global mobility. Singapore remains at the top with visa-free entry to 193 countries. Japan and South Korea are in second place with 190 destinations. This reflects Asia's diplomatic strength and the strength of international relations.
The situation in European countries
In third place are seven European countries – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain – whose passport holders can travel visa-free to 189 countries. Countries like Austria, Belgium, Netherlands and Sweden are jointly in fourth place. New Zealand, Greece and Switzerland are jointly in fifth place.
US and UK rankings drop
The US and the UK have both dropped one place to 10th and sixth respectively in 2025. Although the UK offers visa-free access to 186 countries and the US to 182, their drop in rankings signals a shift in global policy.
China and Saudi Arabia ahead
Saudi Arabia made the biggest jump this year. It added four new countries and its passport now offers visa-free access to 91 nations. China has also risen 34 places in the past decade and now sits at 60th, although it still doesn't have visa-free access to Europe's Schengen area.
A passport is not just a travel document but a mirror of diplomacy
Dr. Juerg Stephan, CEO of Henley & Partners, believes that today's passport has become not just a travel document, but a symbol of a country's global status and diplomatic influence. He says that US and UK citizens are now looking for more alternative citizenship and global security, as the policies of both countries are becoming more inward-looking.
