India
More than 216,000 Indians gave up their citizenship in 2023, marking the second-highest number of renunciations in the past five years. This information was revealed by the Indian government in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, as Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh responded to queries on the issue.
Citizenship Renunciations: A Five-Year Overview
In his written response, Singh provided a detailed overview of citizenship renunciations over the last five years. According to the data, 216,219 Indians renounced their citizenship in 2023. This figure closely follows the 2022 total of 225,620. Other notable years include 2021, with 163,370 renunciations; 2020, which saw a significant dip to 85,256, likely influenced by the global pandemic; and 2019, with 144,017 renunciations.
Government’s Perspective on the Trend
Addressing the inquiry from AAP member Raghav Chadha, who questioned the reasons behind the high number of citizenship renunciations and the potential impact on the country, Singh emphasized that the reasons for renouncing citizenship are largely personal. He also highlighted the government’s recognition of the global workplace’s potential in the era of a knowledge economy.
“The government recognises the potential of the global workplace in an era of a knowledge economy,” Singh stated, adding that India has undergone a transformational shift in its engagement with the Indian diaspora.
Harnessing the Power of the Indian Diaspora
Singh further elaborated on the government’s strategy to leverage the Indian diaspora’s potential. “A successful, prosperous, and influential diaspora is an asset for India,” he noted, underscoring the importance of tapping into diaspora networks and utilizing the soft power that comes from having a flourishing community abroad.
India, he said, stands to gain significantly from these global connections, particularly through the sharing of knowledge and expertise. The government’s efforts are therefore focused on harnessing the full potential of the diaspora to benefit the country.
