The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today confirmed that the issue of dual citizenship for NRIs ‘‘is in a very advanced stage of discussion at the highest Government levels.’’ Speaking at a press conference about the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas to be held in Delhi from January 9, Secretary, MEA, J.C. Sharma said: ‘‘The Government has reached the decision-making stage on the dual citizenship issue and inputs are being harmonised.’’ Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee is expected to convene a high-level meeting soon to give finishing touches to the proposal. Though Sharma refused to divulge details, MEA sources confirmed that Vajpayee would announce the Government’s decision in this regard on the inaugural day of the celebrations. The dual citizenship will be extended to both NRIs and PIOs (People of Indian Origin). In December, 2001, a high-level committee headed by former Ambassador to Britain L.M. Singhvi submitted its report to the Prime Minister in which a strong case was made out for conferring dual citizenship on the diaspora. Sharma, however, said that dual citizenship would be a ‘‘voluntary scheme’’. He added that it would be applicable to only those Indians residing in the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, countries that allow dual citizenship. This new scheme is expected to benefit more than seven million expatriates settled abroad. The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is expected to forge a constructive relationship between India and its diaspora and directly benefit the 20 million Indian diaspora spread across 110 countries and five continents, Sharma said. He explained that the basic aim of the three-day-long celebrations is to showcase a modern, vibrant India which is on the move. He said achievers in Silicon Valley, scientists and others who had made a mark in their respective fields would be participating. Among the invitees is Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, who, along with Ustad Bismillah Khan, will present the invocation. The two maestros will be rendering a 15-minute raag on the occasion. Pandit Ravi Shankar said there ‘‘is need to encourage classical music in the Indian diaspora which is very keen to know more about it.’’
