Indian migrants in UK want dual citizenship

Prasun Sonwalkar
London, Dec 13 (PTI) An influential group representing
migrants from India and other non-European Union countries has
petitioned India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to allow dual
citizenship to overseas Indians.
In a letter to Singh, executive director of HSMP Forum
Amit Kapadia said the current categories of 'Overseas Citizen
of India (OCI)' and 'People of Indian Origin (PIO)' cards fell
short of the security provided by a full Indian passport.
Kapadia noted that Indian immigrants constituted a
vast presence in 180 countries, and had a deep sense of
commitment to their adopted countries.
He wrote: "Having pursued our goals relentlessly for
years, many of us have earned the right to citizenship, which
consolidates our position in our adopted country and
facilitates investments in our home country in terms of trade,
property and other financial matters".
He added: "Although we have embraced a different
culture and a way of life, India still remains our home to
which most of us return at regular intervals. Such investments
are our way of offering gratitude to the motherland, and also
serve the country's economy".
Kapadia regretted that at a time when Indian migrants
were in a better position to make significant contribution to
the country's economy, the Indian government was denying them
dual citizenship. MORE PTI