Narendra Modi's diplomatic image faces criticism over passport ranking and foreign awards

The 2026 Global Passport Index placed India at 125th out of 197 countries, highlighting limited visa‑free travel, investment climate and personal‑freedom scores. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has promoted austerity amid economic challenges, continued an active foreign travel schedule, prompting criticism from officials in the Netherlands and Norway over press freedom and minority rights in India.

Separately, Indian diplomats have been accused of seeking honorary awards for Modi abroad, with recent controversies such as a hastily created "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" honor in the Seychelles that contained factual errors. Past incidents in Sweden and Ghana, where attempts to secure honorary degrees or statues led to embarrassment, illustrate concerns that India’s foreign service is prioritising symbolic accolades over substantive diplomatic goals.