Report on dual nationality confuses British Indians
By Sanjay Suri, Indo-Asian News Service London, July 13 (IANS) There was widespread confusion in the Indian community in Britain Saturday following an erroneous report here that India had decided to grant dual citizenship. The Daily Telegraph reported an Indian offer to grant dual nationality to the nearly 22 million people of Indian origin around the world. "We have at last got what we wanted," an excited garments importer told IANS Saturday morning. Several other callers and community leaders made inquiries about the decision. But no such decision has been taken, an official from India House clarified. "There is no change from the official position taken in January this year after submission of the (L.M.) Singhvi report," an official told IANS. Singhvi was head of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora. Following the submission of the report, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said he was in sympathy with the demand for dual nationality "in principle". But no decision was taken. The Daily Telegraph, however, reported Saturday morning: "More than 22 million people of Indian origin scattered across the world, including 1.2 million in Britain, are to be offered dual citizenship by India, it was announced in London yesterday." The report was based on press statements by the U.S.-based Bhishma K. Agnihotri, India's ambassador at large for non-resident Indians. Agnihotri, however, did no more than restate the January position. He said a final decision would be taken next year following a process of consultations with different departments. "Once the review is done, it will go before the cabinet," he said. But that process could take a long time, and it is far from certain yet that the government will grant dual nationality even in a few countries. The Daily Telegraph report said the decision had been taken already. It added by way of comment: "This represents a fundamental departure for India, where all governments since independence in 1947 have resisted the very concept of dual nationality. They feared that dual nationality would mean split loyalties and allow terrorists with tenuous links with India to slip into the country." The Telegraph added: "However, the Indian communities settled abroad, especially in Britain and America, are now doing so well that the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has decided to give in gracefully and create a 'Greater India'." The Telegraph said: "In agreeing to allow dual nationality, India, the world's biggest democracy, has decided to follow the examples of Britain and America. Mr Vajpayee has realised that Indians abroad, especially tycoons in Britain and America, are a valuable source of inward investment." An Indian official said the report was incorrect. Officials are preparing to make moves to correct the position through local media over the weekend. --Indo-Asian News Service =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
