India permits dual citizenship for its diaspora

New Delhi, June 16 : India Thursday approved dual citizenship for members of its vast diaspora who immigrated after Jan 26, 1950 when the country became a republic. 

The dual citizenship, however, will not be extended to persons of Indian origin, their children and grand children who migrated to Pakistan or Bangladesh after January 26, 1950.

"The dual citizen will be extended to persons of Indian origin who meet these criteria as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form," Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy told reporters here.

The decision - including a go-ahead to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to notify an amendment to the Citizenship Act of 1955 - was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The cabinet also decided to issue smart cards - which will be like credit cards embedded with relevant information to facilitate identification and travel - to those eligible for dual citizenship, Reddy said.

The previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had approved dual citizenship for persons of Indian origin residing in only 16 countries.

But at the annual diaspora day celebrations in Mumbai January this year, Manmohan Singh said every member of the diaspora who has migrated after Jan 26, 1950 would be eligible for dual citizenship.

Thursday's cabinet decision sets in motion that process.

India boasts some 20 million members of its diaspora spread over 110 countries, including Indian nationals in Gulf and other countries. (IANS)