India's passport has slipped five spots to rank 85th in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, which ranks countries based on the number of destinations their citizens can access without a visa. Indian passport holders now have visa-free access to 57 countries, sharing the position with Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.

The top-ranked passport remains Singapore, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations. Japan follows closely in second place, with access to 193 destinations. Six countries—Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Spain—hold third place, with citizens able to travel to 192 countries without a visa.

The Henley Passport Index, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), evaluates the strength of passports from 199 countries. Notably, the United States passport, once ranked first in 2014, now sits at 9th with access to 186 countries. The UAE, however, remains the only Arab nation in the top 10, ranking 10th with 185 destinations.

Among the BRICS nations, Brazil ranks 18th (171 destinations), Russia is 46th (116 destinations), China stands at 60th (85 destinations), and South Africa is 48th (106 destinations). India's passport was ranked 71st in 2006 and fell to its lowest ever at 90th in 2021 due to pandemic-related restrictions. Despite brief improvements in 2024, it has dropped to 85th this year.

At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan's passport holds the 106th position, with access to just 26 countries. Pakistan is ranked 103rd with access to 33 destinations.

Interestingly, Afghanistan has recently approached India to grant visas for educational and medical visits, highlighting the broader dynamics at play in international travel and diplomacy.