India has improved its position in the Henley Passport Index 2026, moving up to 75th place from 85th last year. Indian passport holders can now travel to 56 countries without a visa. However, this is one country fewer than in 2025. India shares the 75th rank with Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, and Mauritania. The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports based on visa-free access to 227 destinations using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Among India’s neighbours, Maldives leads at 49th rank with visa-free access to 93 countries, followed by China at 56th with access to 82 countries. Bhutan is 83rd with access to 48 countries, Myanmar at 88th with 43 countries, Sri Lanka at 91st with 39 countries, Bangladesh at 93rd with 37, and Nepal at 95th with 35. The lowest ranks in South Asia are Pakistan at 97th and Afghanistan at 101st, with visa-free access to 32 and 24 countries respectively. Globally, Singapore holds the strongest passport ranking, allowing visa-free travel to 192 countries. Japan and South Korea share the second spot with access to 187 countries, followed by Sweden and the UAE at third with access to 186 countries. The United States ranks 10th with visa-free access to 179 countries. Other leading countries include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada, ranked between 4th and 8th, each with access to over 180 destinations. This ranking reflects global diplomatic relations and travel freedom for citizens worldwide.