India’s global diaspora presses for dual citizenship

A leading forum representing Indians in the United States and Canada has renewed its call for full dual citizenship, urging the Indian government to move beyond the current Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) framework.

The appeal, made on Thursday, argues that dual citizenship would allow India to better harness the financial power, professional skills and global influence of its diaspora, reported The New Indian Express.

IndUS Canada, which represents 79 organisations of the Indian diaspora across the US and Canada, said more than 80 lakh Overseas Indians in the two countries remain “one of India’s strongest strategic assets”. Its chair, Vikram Bajwa, said dual citizenship should be viewed as “a transformative step capable of elevating India’s global stature”.

Bajwa said India’s advancement would be strengthened by deeper symbolic and legal ties with overseas Indians. “Yet, without the rights… that dual citizenship provides, India is unable to fully benefit from their financial strength, professional capabilities and global influence,” he said.

The forum has asked the government to grant dual citizenship or significantly upgrade the OCI scheme, which currently grants lifelong visa access but does not provide political rights. Bajwa pointed out that countries such as Israel, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Pakistan have long adopted dual citizenship as a tool to strengthen links with their diaspora. “If these nations can empower their diaspora for national growth, why should India restrict itself to only a lifelong visa under OCI?” he said.

Describing dual citizenship as a “22nd-century idea for a 21st-century India”, the forum said the measure could unlock greater investment in manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and startups by providing long-term stability to overseas Indians. It also said easier mobility and deeper legal belonging would boost collaboration in research, innovation, culture and philanthropy.

With over 3.5 crore Indians living abroad, the forum said the move would help convert emotional ties into sustained economic and institutional engagement. The government has not responded to the renewed appeal.