NEW DELHI: Prominent nonresident Indian (NRI) associations and groups representing people of Indian origin (PIO) in the U.S., Europe and the Middie East are pulling pressure on the government for dual citizenship, claiming it will benefit the ongoing economic liberalization program. Apart from a feasibility study that was conducted by the Home Ministry, the government has been citing “political ramifications” against introducing such a move, While the NRI associations say that providing dual citizenship would mean more foreign investment, the Constitution categorically makes no provision for dual citizenship. The NRIs have forwarded several good reasons why they should be given dual citizenship. Among them:” doubling” of remittances, making available a captive source of valuable foreign investment as well as boosting exports and live examples of countries like Japan or Israel which were helped by people of their own origin settled outside the country. The NRI association and PIOs. have also argued that wealthy and influential Indians settled outside may also help in presenting the Indian ‘case” in its true perspective. Argues M.K.Kaul, who is on the steering committee of GOPIO:”A number of foreigners Slay on in India exercising the normal rights of citizens here, some of them may also be antisocial, so why this consistent harping on security.”
Even while security consider ations are talked about by the government, it is clear that the authorities have loosened up slightly. For instance, longterm visas have now been allowed and unlike a few years ago, a NRI does not have to take the permission of the Reserve Bank of India to buy or inherit property. He has to just inform them.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 8, 1993
