Dual citizenship to Indians abroad soon
17.02 IST 03rd Jan 2003

By IndiaExpress Bureau

A proposal to grant dual citizenship to people of Indian origin abroad is getting the finishing touches.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is likely to make an announcement in this regard on January 9 when he will inaugurate the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas'.

"This matter is in a very advance stage," J C Sharma, secretary in the External Affairs Ministry told reporters. "Discussions are at the highest level in the government," added Mr. Sharma.

The issue, he said, is at the "final decision-making stage" and "various inputs are being harmonized. At this stage, that is the maximum I can say."

This is a long-standing demand of Indians settled abroad, he said, adding that there was acceptance of this decision.

The 20 million-strong Indian diaspora is spread over 110 countries in all the five continents. In December, 2001, a high level committee headed by noted jurist and former Ambassador to Britain, L M Singhvi submitted its report to the Prime Minister. It made out a strong case for conferring dual citizenship on the diaspora.

The Prime Minister is learnt to have decided to convene a high-level meeting to finalize the proposal.


Source: http://www.indiaexpress.com/news/national/20030103-2.html

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A Proud Indian Canadian

Hi,
I think it is going to be placed in next parliament session for approval.

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Sunil Sharma, P.Eng.