LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3179
ANSWERED ON- 09/08/2024
RENOUNCING INDIAN CITIZENSHIP
3179. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH
SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the number of Indian citizens who have renounced their Indian citizenship in the past three years, State/UT-wise and year-wise;
(b) the primary reasons cited by Indian citizens for renouncing their citizenship;
(c) the actions or measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to address the trend of increasing citizenship renunciations including any policy changes, awareness programmes, or other initiatives aimed at retaining Indian citizenship; and
(d) whether there is any plan to review or modify the existing policies and procedures related to the renunciation of Indian citizenship, if so, the details of the proposed changes and the expected timeline for their implementation?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indians who renounced their Indian citizenship was 1,63,370 (in 2021); 2,25,620 (in 2022) and 2,16,219 (in 2023). For reference purpose, data was 1,22,819 (in 2011); 1,20,923 (in 2012); 1,31,405 (in 2013); 1,29,328 (in 2014); 1,31,489 (in 2015); 1,41,603 (in 2016); 1,33,049 (in 2017); 1,34,561 (in 2018); 1,44,017 (in 2019); 85,256 (in 2020) . State-wise distribution of people who renounced Indian citizenship for foreign citizenships is not available.
(b to d) The reasons for renouncing/taking citizenship are personal. The Government recognizes the potential of the global workplace in an era of a knowledge economy. It has also brought about a transformational change in its engagement with Indian diaspora. A successful, prosperous, and influential diaspora is an asset for India. India stands to gain a lot from tapping its diaspora networks and productive utilization of the soft power that comes from having such a flourishing diaspora. The Government’s efforts are also aimed at harnessing the diaspora potential to its fullest including through sharing of knowledge and expertise.
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