Syllabus: GS 2 – Governance, International Relations | GS 3 – Economy, Migration
📌📌 Over the past 50 years, global migration has reshaped economies and societies,
with India playing a central role.
📌📌 India has the world’s largest diaspora, with over 3.5 crore (35 million) Indians
living abroad.
📌📌 This vast diaspora significantly impacts India’s economy, foreign policy, and
cultural influence, raising the question: Should India allow dual citizenship?
🔹🔹India’s Global Migration and Its Impact
1⃣Growing Indian Diaspora
✔ The number of international migrants has tripled since 1970, now forming 4%
of the global population.
✔ One in every 40 Indians lives abroad, making India the largest source of
emigrants globally.
The Role of Migration in India’s Foreign Policy
📌📌 The Indian government views its diaspora as a strategic asset and has integrated migration into its foreign policy.
✔ The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) actively supports overseas employment and facilitates diaspora engagement.
✔ India’s global workforce strategy acknowledges that for young Indians, the world is their workplace.
✔ Initiatives such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, scholarships, and diplomatic outreach strengthen ties with the diaspora.
🔹🔹The High-Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora and OCI
1⃣Background and Recommendations
📌📌 The 25th anniversary of the High-Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora is approaching.
✔ The Committee had advocated for dual citizenship, stating there was no legal or constitutional barrier to it.
✔ It highlighted global trends in favor of dual citizenship and dismissed security concerns as manageable with proper
screening.
2⃣Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI): A Halfway Measure
📌📌 Introduced in 2005, following the Committee’s recommendations.
✔ Despite its name, OCI is not dual citizenship—it comes with several limitations:
• ❌ No voting rights❌ Ineligibility for public office
• ❌ Restrictions on owning agricultural land
✔ OCI status is a privilege, not a right, and can be revoked at any time.
✔ Many OCI holders feel it grants a second-class status compared to genuine dual citizenship.🔹🔹
2⃣Economic Contributions of the Diaspora
✔ India receives the highest remittances in the world—nearly $130 billion annually.
✔ These remittances exceed foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows ($42 billion) and help reduce India’s trade and current
account deficits.
✔ Shift in remittance sources – While the Gulf region remains important, advanced economies (U.S., U.K., Canada,
Australia) now play a bigger role.
Changing Global Attitudes Toward Migration & Citizenship
📌📌 Developed nations are tightening migration and citizenship rules, making it harder for non-citizens to secure rights and
privileges.
✔ Many Indians are forced to renounce Indian citizenship because foreign citizenship offers greater security, travel
freedom, and career opportunities.
✔ Countries like the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia allow dual citizenship, recognizing the modern reality of multiple
identities.
🔹🔹The Case for Dual Citizenship – Policy Recommendations
1⃣Retention of Indian Citizenship
✔ Instead of forcing renunciation, India should allow citizens to retain their nationality when acquiring another passport.
✔ Many countries—including the U.S., Canada, France, and Israel—follow this flexible approach.
2⃣Political Rights & Public Service Participation
✔ Voting rights for dual citizens can be introduced via:
• In-person voting at embassies
• Postal or electronic voting
✔ High offices and sensitive government positions can remain restricted to single-citizenship holders, ensuring national
security.
✔ Allowing dual citizens to participate in local governance would enhance their engagement with India.
3⃣Clear Legal Framework for Security Concerns
✔ Instead of a blanket restriction, dual citizenship could be granted selectively based on:
• Generational ties
• Country of second citizenship
• Security background checks
✔ A case-by-case scrutiny approach would be more democratic than the current one-size-fits-all ban.
Broader Implications of Dual Citizenship
1⃣Strengthening Emotional & Economic Ties
✔ Millions of Indians abroad maintain strong emotional connections with their homeland.
✔ Legal and practical barriers prevent them from contributing fully—dual citizenship would eliminate these hurdles.
✔ It would encourage more investments, philanthropy, and knowledge transfer.
2⃣Recognizing Evolving Identities
✔ In today’s globalized world, national identities are fluid.
✔ Second and third-generation Indians born abroad often feel connected to India but face legal barriers to participation.
✔ Dual citizenship would eliminate the need for an either-or choice and keep future generations engaged with India
Conclusion: 📌📌 India’s diaspora is a major global asset, contributing to its economy, soft power, and global influence.
📌📌 However, the current OCI framework is inadequate—it fails to provide the full rights and privileges that many in the
diaspora seek.
📌📌 Recognizing dual citizenship would:
✔ Deepen diaspora engagement
✔ Strengthen economic ties
✔ Reflect modern migration realities
📌📌 As India’s global stature grows, progressive citizenship policies will ensure it remains connected to its global Indian
community.