Passport index: India makes strongest jump to rank 77th
India now holds the 77th position, an improvement from its 85th ranking last year, this comes after last year saw India drop five places in ranking.
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The Henley Passport Index evaluates the strength of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a visa or with visa-on-arrival privileges. This year's advancement signals a positive shift in global mobility for Indian passport holders.
The latest improvement comes on the back of 59 destinations Indian passport holders can get a visa free entry to, adding two more destinations to its roster.
Some countries which offer visa-free access include Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand, whereas countries that give visa-on-arrival facilities include Sri-Lanka, Macau, Myanmar and others.
The latest index highlights a shift in global mobility trends, with Asian nations emerging as the new leaders. India's rise in the rankings comes amid a gradual decline in the strength of traditionally dominant passports like those of the United States and the United Kingdom.
'The consolidation we're seeing at the top underscores that access is earned - and must be maintained - through active and strategic diplomacy. Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged in such efforts,' said Dr Christian H Kaelin, inventor of the passport index concept.
According to a statement issued by Dr Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, this shift reflects a major transformation in global migration patterns, largely influenced by evolving political dynamics and diplomatic realignments.
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'Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five globally. As the US and UK adopt increasingly inward-looking policies, we're witnessing a marked rise in interest from their citizens seeking greater global access and security,' Steffen said in a press release.
He went on to emphasise upon the importance of passport rankings as more than just travel ease and convenience.
'Your passport is no longer just a travel document - it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships. In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever,'
While Asian countries like India, UAE, China and Saudi Arabia are steadily improving their mobility scores, the United States and United Kingdom are experiencing a gradual decline.
The UK has fallen to sixth place, while the US has dropped to tenth and now sits on the edge of dropping out of the top 10 for the first time in the index's 20-year history.
Whereas UAE has jumped 34 spots to enter top 10 at number eight in the last decade, also the only country to break into top 10 in the same duration. China has improved its ranking from 94 in 2015 to 60th this year.
Singapore retains its position as the world's most powerful passport, granting visa-free access to 193 destinations.
On the other end, Afghanistan ranks lowest, with its passport holders able to travel visa-free to just 25 countries. While there's been some movement at the top, European nations continue to dominate global mobility rankings.
Japan and South Korea hold second place with access to 190 destinations, followed by seven EU countries, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Finland, Denmark, and Ireland, tied for third with 189 destinations.
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden share fourth place with visa-free access to 188 destinations, while New Zealand, Switzerland, and Greece round out the top five.
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