NEW DELHI, February 14, 2026 — India has secured its highest position on the Henley Passport Index in over a decade, jumping 10 spots to rank 75th globally. While the headline suggests a surge in diplomatic strength, a closer look at the data reveals a “ranking paradox”: India’s standing improved even as its actual visa-free access experienced a slight decline.
The Relative Rise: Winning by Not Losing
In a classic case of relative performance, India’s climb from 85th in 2025 to 75th in 2026 was largely fueled by the sharp decline of other nations.
- The Math: While India’s visa-free tally dipped from 57 to 56 destinations, other countries previously ranked above India faced even greater restrictions, allowing India to move up the ladder by default.
- The Benchmarks: India is still striving to reclaim its historical peak of 71st place, achieved in 2006. In contrast, Singapore remains the gold standard at 1st place, offering access to 192 countries.
Destinations Lost: The Security Factor
The slight dip in India’s absolute score is attributed to major policy shifts in two key regions:
- Iran: Previously visa-free, Iran suspended the facility for Indians in late 2025 citing security concerns, including human trafficking and fake job rackets.
- Bolivia: The South American nation replaced its “visa-on-arrival” policy with a mandatory e-visa system. Because the Henley Index excludes pre-departure e-visas from its “visa-free” definition, this resulted in a technical loss for India.
A New Addition: The African Opening
Amidst the losses, Gambia emerged as a new visa-free destination for Indian travellers. This addition highlights India’s growing “Look Africa” strategy, aimed at simplifying travel for both tourism and business across the continent.
Structural Hurdles and the Road to Top 50
Experts argue that India’s passport remains “middle-tier” due to structural barriers such as:
- GDP Per Capita: Lower economic standing often leads to stricter scrutiny from high-income nations.
- Overstay Concerns: High rates of illegal migration and “Donkey Routes” have historically made major Western powers hesitant to grant reciprocal waivers.
- The Strategy: To break into the Top 50, policy analysts recommend aggressive bilateral negotiations with 20–25 medium-sized nations and the widespread adoption of biometric e-passports to build international trust.
Bottom Line
The 2026 ranking is a symbolic victory rather than a breakthrough in global mobility. While the jump to 75th looks impressive on paper, Indian travellers still face significant hurdles in major economies like the US, UK, and the EU. True “passport power” will only come when India can convert its economic influence into a larger network of genuine, visa-free travel.
