New Delhi, Jan. 15 -- This year's Henley Passport Index is out and India has some reason to cheer. The country's passport now ranks 80th on this annual chart published by Henley & Partners, a London-based global citizenship and advisory firm, up from its 85th rank in 2025.

The little blue booklet with the Ashokan lion-crest now grants citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to as many as 55 countries, which implies an increase in its power as a door opener.

Earlier this week, Germany allowed Indian travellers visa-free transit. While this permission to pass through German airports for onward flights to other places may not necessarily reflect in Henley's rankings, Indian diplomacy may be helping expand the freedom with which Indian...