India has slipped one position in the recently released Henley Passport Index for 2024, as reported by India Today. The index ranks countries based on the strength of their passports, with France securing the top position this year with visa-free access to 194 countries.
Despite an increase in visa-free access for Indian passport holders over the past year, the Indian passport’s decline to 85th position is a surprise. In 2024, Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 62 countries, up from 60 countries in 2023.
Compared to India’s ranking, Pakistan maintains its position at 106th, while Bangladesh slips from 101st to 102nd.
Interestingly, Maldives surpasses India in rankings, securing the 58th place with visa-free travel to 96 countries.
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The Henley Passport Index derives its rankings from 19 years of data analysis based on the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) specialized data, covering 199 different passports and 227 travel destinations worldwide. The index is updated monthly.
Over the past 18 years, the number of countries that people can travel to visa-free has nearly doubled, from an average of 58 countries in 2006 to 111 countries in 2024, according to the Henley Passport Index.
