The passport acts as a government approved identity card of an individual. So, whenever a person is traveling abroad he or she can prove his identity as well as the country that he or she belongs to with the help of a passport. The Indian passport is issued by the President of India to the Indian citizens for any kind of international travel. The passport seva unit of the passport and visa division of Ministry of external Affairs is the sole governing authority who has the power to issue passport to Indian citizens. While applying for an Indian passport an individual is required to go through a number stages of verification. Thus, making it difficult for any kind of duplication.
Not is the passport mandatory by while traveling to a foreign country but a passport also keeps a track of all the places that a person has visited abroad. A passport comprises of a page which contains the stamps of all the foreign countries visited by an individual.
Factors affecting Power of a Passport
In a recent passport Index published by a financial firm Arton Capital, the power of Indian passport in comparison to other countries ranks 59. The power of a passport id determined by the following factors:
- Ability to travel: The index measures the power of a passport on the basis of its ability to enter other countries without Visa requirement. The United States of America and the United Kingdom topped the list with the power to visit 147 countries without Visa or other travel formalities. India’s rank in the global Index is 59 and Indian passport holders can visit 58 countries without worrying about Visa. Some of the countries which are visa free or has allowed option for visa on arrival for all the Indian passport holders are: Bhutan, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Indonesia, Jamaica, Macau, Macedonia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nepal, Palestanian territories, Saint Kitts and Navisans Senegal, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinida and Tobago, Vanautu etc.
- Treaties and friendly relations: Passports also reflects the geopolitical relations of a country in international relations. Besides this the power of a country’s passport also reveals visa reciprocity between the two countries, diplomatic relations, immigration laws have security risks of both the countries. Countries which do not hold a good relation with each other imposes more restrictions than countries who shares a friendly relation with one another.
- Economic advancement: The most desirable passports belong to those countries which are also economically most advanced. For instance, Germany, United Sates, United Kingdom, Hong Kong etc. dominates the top most positions of the list while economically underdeveloped countries like Solomon, Palestinian territories, Myanmar, South Sudan are at the bottom of the list.
- Tourist Attraction: The more a country is visited by travelers the more is the demand to visit that place internationally. For instance, the United Kingdoms is visited by 29 million travelers every year. Thus, making it one of the most desirable place to visit in the world.
Top 5 Places to Visit with The Indian Passport
The top five places that Indian citizens can visit only with their passport are:
- Indonesia: The country provides free visa stamp for 30 days without any extension to all Indian citizens. It is one of most sought-after tourist destination in the world. The country is known for its world class resorts, food and friendly people.
- Jordan: Jordan provides visa on arrival. The dead sea in Jordan is earth’s lowest point and natural spa.
- Jamaica: It allows a Visa free stay for 14 days. Besides its warm weather, Jamaica has a beautiful coastline and is full of adventure and is one of the friendliest tourist destination.
- Kenya: Visa is provided on arrival at the airport after paying 50 dollars. Kenya is best known for its animal safari. The country is the habitat of a number animal and bird species.
- Bolivia: A 90-day visa will be provided on arrival either at the Santa Cruz airport or the La Paz airport of Bolivia. The country is known for its large salt flats, mountains, jungles, lakes etc.