RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1190
ANSWERED ON- 01/08/2024
RENOUNCEMENT OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP
1190. SHRI RAGHAV CHADHA
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the details of Indian citizens who have renounced their Indian citizenship in the last five years;
(b) whether Government has taken any steps to find out the reasons for such high number of renunciation and low acceptance of Indian citizenship, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether Government has tried to determine the financial as well as intellectual drainage and loss to the country because of the high renouncements of citizenship and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to c) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indians who renounced their Indian citizenship was 1,44,017 (in 2019); 85,256 (in 2020); 1,63,370 (in 2021) and 2,25,620 (in 2022) and 2,16,219 (in 2023). For reference purpose, numbers were 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).
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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