Maldives passport has been recognised as the most powerful passport in the region demonstrating a successful foreign policy of the government. The Maldives was ranked as one of the countries holding one of the most powerful passports in the South Asia region this year.
The list of the world's most powerful passports is published by the Henley Passport Index. The strength of a passport is determined by the number of countries that do not require a visa with the passport. As such, the Maldives was ranked 58th in the world rankings on the 190-nation list this year, an increase of six places compared to last year.
Maldivian passport holders can travel to 88 countries without a visa, according to the Henley Passport Index. The most recent addition to the visa-free countries for Maldivian passport holders was China. As such, Maldivians can travel to China without a visa when COVID-19 related restrictions are lifted.
Further, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced visa-free travel to Tajikistan from this year onwards. In the past three years, arrangements have been made for Maldivians to travel to numerous countries without visas.
Since assuming office in 2018, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has made it one of his top priorities to strengthen the Maldivian foreign policy and strengthen ties with foreign countries. The results of the government's efforts to achieve peace and harmony in the international arena have been seen in the past three years.
Although the Maldives is a small island nation, positive growth has been seen due to the efforts of the administration to gain a foothold in the international arena. As such, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid is currently the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The government assures the people that it will strengthen its foreign relations with other countries by ensuring that these relations benefit the people and fully safeguard the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives.