Dual citizenship for Overseas Indians

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Press release on Dual Citizenship

Dr Yadu SinghSydney, Australia

14th November, 2014

Press Release

Indian community in Australia starts an online campaign to urge Indian Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi, to grant dual citizenship to overseas Indians.

Spokesperson for the campaign and President of Indian Australian Association of NSW Inc, Dr. Yadu Singh said “It’s time that Indian government grants NRIs dual citizenship”.

He further said “There are an estimated 25 million non-resident Indians (NRIs), people of Indian origin (PIOs) and overseas citizens of India (OCIs) spread across more than 200 countries. Cumulatively, they contributed about $70 billion in remittances to India in 2013-14”.

“The recent changes in the PIO and OCI cards announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are welcome, but they do not meet the long-term demand of dual citizenship by overseas Indians”.

“The overseas citizenship card (OCC) falls well short of genuine dual citizenship. Many of us overseas Indians have been demanding genuine dual citizenship, with full political and economic rights in India on par with the rights enjoyed by Indian citizens. Former attorney general Soli Sorabjee was right in stating in 2005: “If we want to involve the diaspora, then we can’t deny them the right to vote or the right to occupy important office.”

Overseas Indians, whether they hold Indian passports or have foreign passports, have an emotional bond with India. That holds true for a majority of people of Indian heritage. When major democratic and developed countries like USA, Canada, UK and Australia have no issue with dual citizenship, there can’t be a real justification for India to treat its own people unfavourably.

The promise of dual citizenship was made by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in 2003. Since then there have been statements from senior politicians about them favouring dual citizenship. But the matter has not progressed further. Statements are not enough. The following actions should be taken: 1. Granting Indian passports (dual citizenship) to overseas citizens of Indian heritage with full political and economic rights 2. Granting of convenient voting rights to such dual passport-holding overseas Indians as well as overseas Indians with Indian passports (NRIs), which can be exercised either at the consulate, high commission or embassy premises in their country of residence and through postal or online facilities.

India should consider taking a cue from Australia’s repeal of Section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 that took effect from April 2002 permitting dual citizenship.

Dr Singh also said “It is important for second and subsequent generations of Indians, besides first generation, to stay emotionally and politically connected with India. Dual citizenship will make it more likely that this will happen”.

Prime Minister Modi has the political capital, strength in the Parliament and the goodwill for/from the overseas Indians, who supported him massively, to get the Parliament to grant dual citizenship to Overseas Indians.

The campaign has just started from Australia. It has created great excitement in Indian community. It is gaining momentum and it will get enthusiastic support from Indian diaspora all over the world, particularly United States of America, Canada, UK and Australia. It will continue to be run until India sees merits in granting dual citizenship.

Dr. Singh said “I will make an appeal to PM Modi personally if there is an opportunity to meet him”.

Appeal is run via Change.org (https://www.change.org/p/the-honorable-sri-narendra-modi-appeal-to-grant-dual-citizenship-to-overseas-indians and Social media (www.facebook.com/IndianDualCitizenship)

Further comment: Dr Yadu Singh, dryadusingh@gmail.com +61 413 375 669

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Sign the petition for Dual Citizenship for Overseas Indians

Dual Citizenship

Please SIGN this petition below and FORWARD it to others in your network.

https://www.change.org/p/the-honorable-sri-narendra-modi-appeal-to-grant-dual-citizenship-to-overseas-indians

Please visit this Faceook page on Dual Citizenship for Overseas Indians and “Like” it. Please share it.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/IndianDualCitizenship

Indian Diaspora is requested to SIGN the petition and JOIN in the campaign.

Thank  you on behalf of Indian Dual Citizenship Campaign

Yadu Singh/Saturday/8th Nov, 2014/Sydney, Australia

indiandualcitizenship@gmail.com

http://www.Facebook.com/IndianDualCitizenship

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Opinion piece on dual citizenship in The Economic Times

Dr Yadu SinghIt’s time Indian government granted NRIs dual citizenship

October 31, 2014, 4:16 am IST in ET Commentary | India | ET

There are an estimated 25 million non-resident Indians (NRIs), people of Indian origin (PIOs) and overseas citizens of India (OCIs) spread across more than 200 countries. Cumulatively, they contributed about $70 billion in remittances to India in 2013-14. The recent changes in the PIO and OCI cards announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are welcome.

But they do not meet the long-term demand of dual citizenship by overseas Indians. The overseas citizenship card (OCC) falls well short of genuine dual citizenship. Many of us overseas Indians have been demanding genuine dual citizenship, with full political and economic rights in India on par with the rights enjoyed by Indian citizens. Former attorney general Soli Sorabjee was right in stating in 2005: “If we want to involve the diaspora, then we can’t deny them the right to vote or the right to occupy important office.”

Overseas Indians, whether they hold Indian passports or have foreign passports, have an emotional bond with India. That holds true for a majority of people of Indian heritage. When major democratic and developed countries have no issue with dual citizenship, there can’t be a real justification for India to treat its own people unfavourably.

The promise of dual citizenship was made by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in 2003. Since then there have been statements from senior politicians about them favouring dual citizenship. But the matter has not progressed further. Statements are not enough. The following actions should be taken: 1. Granting Indian passports (dual citizenship) to overseas citizens of Indian heritage with full rights including voting and political rights. 2. Granting of convenient voting rights to such dual passport-holding overseas Indians as well as overseas Indians with Indian passports (NRIs), which can be exercised either at the consulate, high commission or embassy premises in their country of residence and through postal or online facilities.

India should consider taking a cue from Australia’s repeal of Section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 that took effect from April 2002 permitting dual citizenship.

(The author is a resident of Sydney, Australia)

http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/its-time-indian-government-granted-nris-dual-citizenship/ http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31816&articlexml=Give-Us-This-Day-Our-Dual-Citizenship-31102014015034# OPED_Oct31_CAP

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Dr Yadu Singh, Sydney, Australia/4th Nov, 2014

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Overseas Indian Card, replacing PIO and OCI cards, is good, but not enough. We need genuine dual citizenship

Indian passportIndian Govt is working on a Bill, which will be introduced in Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) soon, after having already been passed by Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament), to replace PIO and OCI cards with a single card, named “Overseas Indian Card”. imagehttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinions/30048500.cms

NRI (Non-Resident Indian), PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and OCI Overseas Citizen of Indian) words do create some confusion for many people.

The Link below might help you understand what these names mean. http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/oci-chart.pdf

I think, replacing PIO and OCI cards with “Overseas Indian Card” it is a good idea, provided,

1. Govt does not impose any cost to those with these cards while replacing current OCI/PIO cards with “Overseas Indian Card”,
2. the process to replace PIO/OCI cards with Overseas Indian Cards is simple, automatic and not cumbersome,
3. the new card is valid for life Long,
4. Fees for Overseas Indian Card is reasonable, not expensive.

I do not see any issue with the requirement that the sticker for the OCI/PIO card or their replacement “Overseas Indian Card” should be pasted in the current passport. If we have to renew our Passports, we will need to have the “Overseas Indian Card” sticker transferred to the new Passport. It should however not cost more than a reasonable amount ie $50-100.00.

While at it, we should not miss the real issue in regards to Overseas Indians-NRIs, PIOs and OCIs. This is about India’s reluctance to offer Overseas Indians a true “Dual Citizenship”.

Overseas Indians, whether they hold Indian Passports or have Overseas Passports, love India. They have an emotional bond with India. This is true for a great majority of people with Indian heritage.

If India is really serious in looking after Overseas Indians, and wishes to tap into this network for variety of purposes, it should consider;

a. Giving Indian passports (Dual citizenship) to overseas Citizens of Indian heritage with full rights including political rights,
b. giving convenient voting rights to such dual passport holders as well as Indian passport holders (NRIs), which can be exercised either at the Consulate, High Commission or Embassy premises in their country of residence or through postal or Online facilities. Postal Voting rights, after all, are allowed for India’s diplomatic staff, serving outside India.

Nobody can argue against India’ right to reject applications for Indian Passports to Overseas citizens of Indian heritage if they have security issues or are associated with terrorist/separatist anti-India groups, if a thorough security investigation finds evidence of such background.

In regards to NRIs (Indians living overseas but holding Indian passports), I am aware that Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is in favour of granting convenient voting rights to them via postal, online or voting at the Consulate/Embassies/High Commissions, and has already submitted a memorandum to Election Commission of India in January 2014. https://ofbjp.org/sites/default/files/Memorandum%20to%20CEC%20VS%20Sampath%20on%20NRIs%20Voting%20Issue%20English.pdf

Currently, NRIs must register their names in the voter lists at their place of residence in India, before they left India, and be physically present there to vote, which is practically very inconvenient, and financially prohibitive.

Indian constitution allows NRIs to vote in theory, but Govt has not done anything to make it convenient for >10 million (>1 crore) NRIs, despite its lofty claims!

Dr Yadu Singh/Sydney/12th Feb, 2014
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INDAUS Inc welcomes Mr Oscar Fernandes, MP and General Secretary of Indian National Congress in Sydney, and demands Visa on Arrival in India for Australian Citizens!

This is from INDAUS Inc Press release.

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INDAUS Inc  welcomes Mr Oscar Fernandes, MP and General Secretary of Indian National Congress in Sydney, and demands Visa on Arrival in India for Australian Citizens!

INDAUS Inc honoured visiting AICC General Secretary and Member of Parliament, Mr Oscar Fernades, on 17th September 2012 at Chutney Indian Restaurant in Harris Park, NSW. The sumptuous and highly interactive dinner was attended by almost fifty prominent Sydney siders, representing various segments of Indian community living in Sydney.

Dr. Yadu Singh, president INDAUS Inc, made the welcome speech and walked the guests through the agenda for the evening. Dr. Singh, Anagan Babu and the INDAUS Inc team then introduced each and every guest to Oscar Fernades and thus bestowed them the privilege to shake hands and have a brief chat with the highly influential visiting Indian politician. Abhilash Narendran, INDAUS Inc’s Executive Committee member, formally introduced Oscar Fernades and gave a snapshot about Fernades’ public life and his achievements.Oscar Fernades’ down to earth nature was highly appreciable and it was clearly visible in his dealings with all who attended the dinner.

Dr Yadu Singh informed Mr Fernandes that there are about 400,000 people of Indian heritage in Australia. This is approx. 2% of the total Australian population and we have an increasing importance in several constituencies during elections. This number is increasing daily as India is the top source of migrants for Australia. He also assured Mr Fernandes that Australia is not a racist country and that Indians are not suffering racist or adverse treatment in this country, despite the false impression created by a segment of Indian media. Dr Singh also raised few significant issues, that affect Indian Australians, with the visiting politician.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP:

Dr. Singh brought up the demand for genuine dual citizenships for Overseas Citizens of India, to Oscar Fernades’ notice. He reiterated that Indians living overseas love India more than anyone else and are loyal to their motherland, India. There should be no valid concern in giving approved [following a thorough vetting by Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs] Overseas Citizens of India full political rights. Congress leader agreed to discuss this matter with Mr Vayalar Ravi, Hon Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs.

VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS:

Dr Singh put forward the suggestion of providing ‘On Arrival’ Visa status to Australian Citizens, so that Australian citizens including Indian Australians who don’t have OCI cards will not be required to apply for Indian visa, if and when they travel to India. This should hopefully help tourists’ flow to India. Mr Fernades has promised to raise our demand with Ministry of External Affairs so that the ministry will explore diplomatic options to provide the new Visa option for Australian Citizens.

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA BY INDIAN PM:

Dr Singh reminded that there has not been any visit to Australia by any Indian Prime Minister for 26 years. Late Sri Rajiv Gandhi was the last PM who visited here. With 4 Australian Prime Ministers visiting India during this period and PM Julia Gillard visiting India in November, Indian PM’s visit to Australia is long overdue. With Australian Uranium sale to India sorted, there is no real obstacle against such visit. Australian community including Indian Australians are waiting for the Prime Ministerial level visit from India soon. Oscar Fernandes responded that there would be reciprocal visit from Indian side soon.

While addressing the gathering, Mr Fernades emphasized on the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the current and coming era. He also mentioned that the Indian family values, lifestyle and their emphasis on saving something for rainy days played a big role in providing India, a strong immunity from the after effects of GFC and the recent Euro zone crisis. He felt the overwhelming impression that Indians are doing well in Australia.

Oscar Fernades was honoured with an INDAUS Plaque, which was jointly handed over to him by Stanley D’Cruz, Anagan Babu and Dr.Yadu Singh, along with Sanjay Patel, a prominent Sydney businessman.

Released by Anagan Babu, Secretary, dated 21st September, 2012 www.indaus.org.au, www.facebook.com/indaus.nsw

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Yadu Singh/Sydney/24th Sept, 2012

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