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India tightens citizenship rules, blocking dual-nationality loopholes from neighboring states

By prasanna jodidar
India tightens citizenship rules, blocking dual-nationality loopholes from neighboring states

New Rules Mandate, Surrender of Foreign Passports for Indian Citizenship

New Delhi: Dual-citizenship is the biggest evil to any nation, one living example we have is Pakistan, where every General and field Marshall will possess a dual-Passport, and when they retire, they will flee to Europe or US where he has his one more passport along with the Pakistan’s passport. This is a meticulously planned menace in Pakistan, they can indulge in all kind of corruption and terror activities in their own nation, and when they want to get rid of the domestic troubles, they will run away to foreign countries. Gerua By Libas Yoke Design Silk Blend Straight Kurta With Trouser and Dupatta

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has restructured the rules governing citizenship applications, introducing a rigid mandate aimed at reshuffling security verification and preventing dual-citizenship complications.

As per the official gazette notification, the new Citizenship Amendment Rules legally bind applicants, specifically those seeking Indian citizenship through naturalization or registration, to formally declare and surrender any foreign passports issued by neighbouring countries, specifically Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

The most fascinating element of restructuring framework shifts the burden of proof entirely onto the applicant about their dissociation from their country of origin. Every applicant tracking their citizenship route under particular clauses must clearly declare all foreign travel documents, identification cards, and passports historically or currently held. The US lets a waiver lapse, and India just shrugs and orders another round of Russian crude

They cannot claim, the passport last or expired.  Applicants must legally surrender their passports issued by Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh to their respective high commissions or embassies in India, obtain a formal Surrender Certificate, and upload it along their final Indian citizenship application.

The notification explicitly states that these amended rules come into force immediately upon the date of their publication in the official gazette.

The mandate applies not only to fresh registrations but also introduces a retrospective validation layer. Processing authorities have the jurisdiction to halt ongoing or pending citizenship verification queues until the applicant furnishes the legitimate passport surrender verification data. 45°C heatwave grips North India. Delhi-NCR scorched, nights offer no relief!

Indian authorities stated examples where individuals granted citizenship via long-term visas or special pathways still technically held active nationality status in Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Afghanistan due to not-surrendered foreign passports.

The changes are good from the domestic security and cross-border point of view of the nation.