New Delhi: India’s global passport ranking has slipped five places, from 80th to 85th, in the Henley Passport Index 2025, highlighting growing concerns over the country’s global mobility and diplomatic standing.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, Indian passport holders now have visa-free access to only 57 destinations, placing India alongside Equatorial Guinea and Niger.

Despite claims by Hindutva groups and pro-Modi media that India’s global prestige has risen under Narendra Modi’s leadership, the latest ranking suggests otherwise. Critics argue that the BJP-led government’s focus on symbolic gestures, such as the $20 service charge issue and the push for a US consulate in Amritsar, has diverted attention from pressing issues like economic struggles, farmer protests, and rising unemployment in Punjab.

India’s restrictive visa policies have also come under scrutiny. The Indian High Commission has been accused of delaying or denying visas arbitrarily, raising concerns over discriminatory practices and lack of transparency.

Moreover, the treatment of Pakistani Hindu migrants has drawn criticism, with reports suggesting that Indian authorities have been unfairly denying them visas and citizenship rights.

Adding to the controversy, India recently suspended the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar, citing security concerns amid increased migration. The FMR previously allowed visa-free border crossings for communities with shared ethnic and cultural ties. The decision has been seen as another hardline immigration stance that contradicts India’s regional diplomatic commitments.

The declining passport ranking and stringent visa policies further expose the gaps in India’s foreign policy, reinforcing concerns that the Modi government is prioritizing rhetoric over substantive global engagement.