Arguments related to Dual Citizenship

Source: This post on Arguments related to Dual Citizenship has been created based on article “Is India open to the idea of dual citizenship?” published in The Hindu  on 10th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus- GS-2 -Polity

Context: The article discusses the complex and sensitive issue of granting dual citizenship to Indians settled abroad, a topic that has long been debated in India but remains unresolved. The conversation revolves around the remarks made by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, who acknowledged the challenges of introducing dual citizenship but emphasized that the debate on the matter is ongoing.

1. Divided Loyalties: Both Amitabh Mattoo and Vivek Katju emphasize the risks of dual citizenship creating individuals with divided political loyalties, which could undermine India’s sovereignty. Mattoo explicitly states that political rights, such as voting, should not be extended to individuals with allegiance to another country.
2. Legal and Constitutional Constraints: The Indian Constitution and Citizenship Act make it clear that acquiring citizenship in another country requires renunciation of Indian citizenship. This legal framework underscores India’s stance on political exclusivity and sovereignty.
3. Risk of Foreign Influence: Allowing dual citizenship could inadvertently empower foreign-aligned interests, posing a potential risk to India’s internal political processes.
4. No Precedent for Leadership with Dual Citizenship: Examples like the U.S., where even citizens born outside the country cannot hold certain positions (e.g., the presidency), highlight the rigidity of political rights tied to undivided national allegiance.

Arguments Supporting Flexibility (Though Not Dual Citizenship)

1. Diaspora’s Contribution: The Indian diaspora has significantly bolstered bilateral relations, foreign investment, and India’s global image. Initiatives like the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card offer a bridge without full citizenship.
2. Global Citizenship Trend: With the increasing mobility of skilled workers and professionals, some argue that citizenship laws globally need to adapt to this reality. However, neither Mattoo nor Katju fully endorses this argument for India.
3. Economic Integration: The diaspora’s role in attracting foreign investments (e.g., through tech leaders like Satya Nadella) highlights the economic potential, though they agree this doesn’t justify extending political rights.

Challenges to Implementing Dual Citizenship

• Defining Eligibility: Differentiating between NRIs and PIOs complicates policy implementation. While NRIs retain Indian citizenship, PIOs do not.
• Global Precedents: Few countries with significant diasporas offer dual citizenship without significant constraints or exclusions.