Congress President Criticizes Government Over Passport Ranking and Tourist Decline
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has voiced strong criticism against the Indian government regarding the country's falling passport rankings and a significant decrease in tourist arrivals. He attributes these issues to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies, questioning the government's approach to passport fees and the overall tourist experience in India. Kharge highlights alarming statistics that show a drop in foreign tourist numbers and raises concerns about the outdated visa application process. His remarks aim to shed light on the challenges facing India's global reputation and tourism sector.
| Jul 6, 2026, 19:20 IST
Criticism of Government Policies
On Monday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his discontent regarding India's declining passport ranking and the drop in annual tourist numbers, directing his criticism towards the central government. He attributed the damage to India's global reputation to the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kharge referenced reports from the World Economic Forum and Global Citizen Solutions, which indicate that India has fallen to the 80th and 125th positions in the Global Passport Index, respectively. He also targeted the government over the recent increase in passport fees, stating that instead of enhancing services, the government has made passports more expensive.
Concerns Over Passport Fees and Tourist Arrivals
Kharge took to social media to assert that the Modi administration's policies are detrimental to India's standing on the world stage. He recalled Modi's 2018 assertion that 'people traveling and residing abroad today recognize the respect and strength of the Indian passport.' He questioned where this 'strength' is evident, as facts contradict such claims. According to a global passport ranking, India has dropped from 74th place in 2013 to 80th by June 2026. Another index places India at a dismal 125th position by 2026. He further noted that instead of improving services, the Modi government has raised passport fees from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500, with urgent processing fees soaring to ₹5,000. Kharge also inquired whether the government is attempting to obscure its failures by combining NRI arrivals with foreign tourist data, alleging that the number of foreign tourists visiting India remains lower than pre-COVID levels.
Tourism Statistics and Visa Application Issues
Kharge highlighted that the ease of travel within India is still lacking, as foreign tourist arrivals have decreased from 10.93 million in 2019 to 9.95 million in 2024. He questioned if the Modi government is merging NRI arrivals with foreign tourist statistics to mask its shortcomings. Additionally, he criticized the official visa application portal, describing it as outdated and convoluted, likening it to a website from the late 1990s. He concluded by questioning whether India, known for its hospitality, is truly welcoming to tourists.