Indian passport spells emotions for NRIs, investments for India
Thursday, 08 May 2003, 19:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: Dual citizenship for non-resident Indians (NRIs) is a culmination of a promise by many successive governments that provides an emotional link to those living away from their mother country - and spells billions of dollars for India. Global Indians settled in eight countries - U.S., Britain, Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Italy - are to get Indian passports after an amendment in the Citizenship Act of 1955. The Indian cabinet took the decision Tuesday. "This document, to be awarded on a case by case basis, will enable NRIs to own properties, build or invest directly in projects in their home country without despairing over tons of paperwork and other channels," an official of the ministry of external affairs said. Predicting a good response to the dual citizenship offer, an official of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said: "Affluent expatriates can now invest in social sector projects and contribute to the economy." The government hopes that the cultural and emotional ties that Indians have kept alive despite the huge distance with the country of their origin will now draw them into deeper involvement and a commitment. "Purchasing and owning property and real estate in India is a big boost," said the FICCI official. India plans to enhance investments from foreign sources by some $6 billion per year, and is banking on the goodwill of its distant children, many of whom have done extremely well in their adopted countries. The demand has been mulled over and over by governments, and national security concerns were the biggest hurdle in its way. The passport would allow free movement without visas and grant many other privileges but no political rights. Those with dual citizenships would not be allowed to vote, or run for office or take jobs in the defence services. An estimated 20 million Indians are spread across the planet, but the deeply sentimental - and of course economic - benefit of dual citizenship has been extended only to the countries that have reciprocal policy of citizenship. But critics say New Delhi had chosen the beneficiaries with an eye on big money. Under the current rules, which are to be amended, Indian expatriates have to forfeit their citizenship when they leave India to live and naturalize in another country. After pressing demands by many global Indians, the government launched the "Persons of Indian Origin" card scheme in 1999 for expatriates up to the fourth generation, except for citizens of countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. The government also introduced a visa-free regime for 20 years at a fee and gave economic, educational, financial and cultural benefits. The government's decision to finally grant the benefit was based on the recommendations of the high-level committee on Indian diaspora chaired by former Indian High Commissioner to Britain, L.M. Singhvi. Singhvi told IANS: "I am very happy that the cabinet has cleared the measure. This will go a long way in building enduring bridges between India and its diaspora and reinforce the strength of both."
Source: IANS
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