OVERSEAS INDIANS

Three lakhs granted Overseas Citizen status USA leads with over 1,20,000 overseas citizens of India



The number of India's Overseas Citizens is about to touch the three lakh figure. The grant of such status to these many overseas Indians has taken place within less than three years time. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) facilitates life-long visa-free travel to India and certain economic, educational and cultural benefits.

The exact number of people granted overseas citizenship status till 31st July 2008 is 2, 85,611. Out of them, over 1, 20,000 are from the United States. Other countries where sizeable numbers have been given overseas citizenship of India are UK, Canada and Australia and Sri Lanka.

The scheme came in to operation from December 2, 2005 in response to a long and persistent demand for "dual citizenship" particularly from overseas Indians in North America and the western world. The decision was also based on the Government's deep commitment towards fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of Overseas Indians. Any Overseas Indian applicant who is comfortable with his present citizenship status in the country of his residence can apply for OCI. The OCI is not to be construed as 'dual citizenship' since it does not confer political rights.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had announced at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2005 held in Mumbai the grant of Overseas Citizenship of India to all Persons of Indian Origin where local laws permit "dual citizenship" in some form or the other except Pakistan and Bangladesh.

India has the second largest Diaspora in the world. The overseas Indian community estimated at over 25 million is spread across every major region in the world. It constitutes a diverse, heterogeneous and eclectic global community representing different regions, languages, cultures and faiths. The common thread that binds them together is the idea of India and its intrinsic values. Overseas Indians comprise People of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non Resident Indians (NRI) and today are amongst the best educated and successful communities in the world. In every part of the world the overseas Indian community is recognised and respected for its hard work, discipline, non-interference and for successfully integrating with the local community. Overseas Indians have made significant contributions to the economy of the country of residence and have added in considerable measure to knowledge and innovation.

The Ministry of Overseas Affairs has taken up the Mission to promote, nurture and sustain a mutually beneficial and symbolic relationship between Indians and Overseas Indians. The Ministry seeks to offer customized solutions to meet the varied expectations of the overseas Indian community and lends a strategic dimension to India's engagement with the Diaspora. The expanding number of overseas Indian citizens is part of the government's efforts in this direction.