New Delhi: The most recent Henley Passport Index exhibits China’s passport is now stronger than India’s, letting Chinese language residents journey to extra nations with no visa than Indians. The rating not solely exhibits journey freedom but additionally a rustic’s international affect and diplomatic attain.
In response to the report, China presently ranks 56th throughout the globe. Over the previous decade, the nation has moved up 28 locations, with a couple of 10-rank enchancment in comparison with 2025. Chinese language passport holders can now journey to roughly 82 to 85 nations without having a previous visa or by acquiring a visa on arrival.
As compared, India holds the seventy fifth place in 2026. Indian residents have entry to 56 nations both visa-free or with visa-on-arrival. It additionally exhibits a progress with a 10-place leap from final yr. Regardless of this enchancment, the mobility hole between India and China is pronounced.
Chinese language residents can journey to about 26 to 29 extra nations with no visa than Indian travellers. This offers them rather more freedom to go to totally different locations around the globe. They will enter in style tourism and enterprise locations reminiscent of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Thailand with out making use of for a visa prematurely.
Lately, China additionally made visa-free offers with Malaysia and the Solomon Islands, opening up much more journey alternatives for its individuals.
Granting unilateral visa-free entry to residents of almost 74 nations, Beijing has additionally prolonged its visa coverage to encourage tourism and financial exercise. This technique highlights China’s purpose to reinforce international connectivity and appeal to worldwide guests.
India, in the meantime, has seen modifications in its visa scenario together with its rise in rating. Some nations, together with Iran and Bolivia, have eliminated visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry for Indian travellers, whereas locations like Gambia have opened as much as them.
These developments point out altering patterns of worldwide journey for Indian residents, at the same time as China continues to steer in international journey freedom.