The Henley Passport Index 2021, the internationally recognized annual ranking of passport power, has placed India at the 85th position. This article delves into the details of the index, its latest rankings, India’s performance and the Indian government’s related initiatives.
Understanding the Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index is a comprehensive global ranking of passports, based on the number of destinations their holders can access sans prior visa requirements. Conceived by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, the chairman of Henley & Partners, this index gets its data exclusively from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The IATA maintains the largest and most precise travel information database globally. Established in 2006, the index now comprises of 199 different passports.
Snapshot of the Latest Rankings
In the recent rankings, Japan emerged as the top rank holder for the third consecutive year. Japanese passport owners can freely travel to 191 destinations, a privilege unmatched by any other country. Singapore secured the second place with a score of 190, followed by South Korea and Germany tied at third place, both having a score of 189. Historically, the top ranks have been dominated by EU countries, the UK, or the US. However, this year, Asia-Pacific (APAC) passports have shown unmatched strength.
On the contrary, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan found themselves at the bottom of the list due to their low passport power scores of 29, 28, and 26, respectively.
India’s Performance on the Index
India falls at the 85th spot with a visa-free score of 58. This is a slip from previous years; in 2020, it was ranked 84th and in 2019, it was placed at the 82nd position.
A Glimpse of Comparative Rankings in Neighboring Countries
Among its neighbors, Pakistan stands at 107th place, while Nepal is at the 104th position, according to the Index.
Government Initiatives In Response to the Passport Index
In response to India’s ranking on the Henley Passport Index, the Indian government has been actively promoting measures to increase its passport power. Part of this initiative includes efforts to enhance the number of countries that offer visa-free travel, visa-on-arrival, and e-visa facilities for Indians. While the issuance and processing of visas are the sole prerogative of respective nations, the Indian government regularly discusses more liberal and straightforward visa policies for its citizens in bilateral meetings with foreign countries.
