Government confirms 2.25 lakh people renounced Indian citizenship in 2022
More than 16 lakh people have renounced their Indian citizenship since 2011, which included 2.25 lakh in 2022, according to a government report. The data also highlighted that this was the highest during the period, while the lowest was in 2020 at 85,256. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar provided the year-wise statistics of Indians who renounced their citizenship during his address in Rajya Sabha.
Here are the official citizenship numbers in detail
According to PTI, Jaishankar revealed that the number of Indians who gave up their Indian citizenship in 2022 was 2,25,620. Furthermore, the number was 1,63,370 in 2021, while 85,256 renounced their citizenship in 2020, 1,44,017 in 2019, and 1,34,561 in 2018. The minister also added that 1,31,489 in 2015, 1,41,603 in 2016, and 1,33,049 Indians in 2017 gave up their Indian citizenship.
Indians took up citizenship in 135 countries: Jaishankar
Jaishankar also revealed that people who have given up their Indian citizenship over the past three years have opted for citizenship in 135 different countries. These include countries like Pakistan, Iran, Albania, China, Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Belarus, Belize, Ukraine, etc. Furthermore, he said that five Indians had taken up UAE citizenship in the past three years.
No restrictions on Indians traveling abroad for tourism, employment: MEA
In a separate reply, the minister stated: "There are no restrictions on Indian nationals regarding traveling to foreign countries for tourism or employment. Some of them settle down in their country of employment and acquire foreign nationality for personal reasons." "Specific data related to number of businessmen and professionals who have settled abroad during last 4 years is not available," he added.
Centre aware of professionals being laid off by US companies
To a question on whether the government has details on the number of Indian professionals in the United States that are laid off, the Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs, V Muraleedharan, stated that the Centre is fully aware. "Of these, a certain percentage is likely to be Indian nationals on H-1B and L1 visas," responded Muraleedharan in the Rajya Sabha.
India raised issues relating to movement of high skilled workers
Muraleedharan also said that the Indian government has consistently highlighted problems involving the movement of highly skilled workers, especially IT specialists, with the US government. "It has also been working with various stakeholders, including industry organizations and business chambers on these issues." The Centre is also working on developing its ties with the Indian diaspora, he added.
India developing border infrastructure, connectivity with friendly neighbors: Jaishankar
India's connectivity projects with Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan were significantly accelerated amid its "obvious" concerns with China, Jaishankar told reporters on Tuesday. He named numerous infrastructure projects along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and several border connectivity efforts with "friendly neighbors," including all countries that share land borders with India, other than Pakistan.
Government focused on rapidly developing border connectivity: Here's why
"We have focused on rapid development of infrastructure along the northern borders with China for obvious strategic reasons," the MEA told the media. "We have focused on rapidly developing border connectivity with our friendly neighbors to enhance trade, energy and other people-to-people exchanges," Jaishankar added.
