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Friday, January 9, 2026
TopicVisa control

Topic: Visa control

India drops 5 spots in Henley Passport Index to 85, lowest ranking since 2021

According to the bi-annual Henley Passport Index, an Indian passport holder has visa-free access to 57 countries. Singapore retains its top spot from 2024.

Sri Lankan Supreme Court suspends controversial e-visa scheme run by consortium including Indian firm

The new system, which was operationalised in April, has faced pushback from tour operators, while the opposition in Sri Lanka has alleged corruption worth $1 billion.

China says over 71,600 visas issued to Indians in first half of 2023

Chinese Embassy in India spokesperson Wang Xiaojian noted that visa to Indian nationals has been granted for purposes of business, study, tourism, work, family reunion etc.

On Camera

Why Pinarayi Vijayan is going soft on an Ezhava leader’s anti-Muslim hate speech

Pinarayi Vijayan once called Vellappally Natesan, the general secretary of SNDP Yogam, Kerala’s Pravin Togadia. Now he is giving his hate speech a free pass.

500% tariffs ahead for India? Trump’s lined up a big bad Bill for countries buying Russian oil

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says bill will be 'well-timed, as Ukraine is making concessions for peace and Putin is all talk, continuing to kill the innocent'.

2025: Pakistan’s deadliest year in over a decade

Islamabad-based think-tank PICSS's new report says Pakistan saw 'pronounced escalation' in violence last year, with 3,413 conflict-related deaths compared to 1,950 in previous year.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.