India clears way for dual citizenship |17 August 2005

The changes to official Indian policy, which would allow Indian citizens to take the nationality of a second country without relinquishing their Indian passports, were announced in Seychelles by the Indian High Commissioner His Excellency Arun Kumar Goel.

Speaking at the Indian High Commission, Le Chantier on Monday August 15 on the 59th anniversary of India's independence, High Commissioner Goel said that the change has come about due to pressure from some of the 20 million Indians living outside the subcontinent and is likely to affect some of the estimated 3,000 Indian citizens who are long-term residents in Seychelles.

"The announcement which I made today is that, except for our two neighbouring countries, Indians living abroad would also be eligible for overseas citizenship of India," he said.

The High Commissioner said that Pakistan and Bangladesh had been excluded from the dual citizenship legislation, "because of historical reasons and security concerns. "Terrorism today is agenda number one anywhere in the world, so since we have a very difficult situation in a few parts of the country at the moment the government of India has not opened the citizenship to these two countries."

High Commissioner Goel said that it is expected to take a few months before the Indian authorities are ready to issue the new passport.

The High Commissioner's comments came after the traditional Independence Day flag raising ceremony and reading of a speech from Indian President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, which focused on India's growing energy needs and goal of achieving energy independence within the next 25 years.

The flag raising ceremony was followed later on Monday evening by a cultural concert at the International Conference Centre (ICCS), mixing Indian and Seychellois song and dance.

Addressing a packed auditorium at the start of the concert, High Commissioner Goel spoke about the strength of Indo-Seychelles relations as exemplified by the recent presidential visit.

"The visit brought forth India's commitment to Seychelles on a long-term basis in various fields," said the High Commissioner, before describing India and Seychelles as "shining examples for unity in diversity and racial harmony."