By Tajdar H. Zaidi
New Delhi: India has witnessed a significant and sustained rise in the number of citizens giving up Indian nationality, with nearly nine lakh people renouncing their citizenship in just the past five years, the government informed Parliament.
The disclosure has reignited debate over why a growing number of Indians are choosing foreign citizenship, even as the country projects rapid economic growth and transformative change.
The data was presented in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who stated that the government maintains year-wise records of individuals who formally surrender Indian citizenship.
According to the figures shared, 11,89,194 Indians gave up their citizenship between 2011 and 2019 alone.
Cumulatively, more than 20 lakh Indians have renounced their nationality over the past 14 years, underscoring a long-term and consistent trend rather than a short-term spike.
The minister also placed detailed annual data before the House, showing a steady upward trajectory in recent years, with some of the highest yearly numbers recorded in the last decade.
This pattern suggests that the decision to give up citizenship is increasingly being driven by structural and global factors rather than isolated personal choices.
Why Are Indians Giving Up Citizenship?
Experts point to a complex mix of economic, professional, educational, and lifestyle considerations behind this trend.
A large proportion of those renouncing Indian citizenship are highly skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students who had migrated abroad years earlier and later opted for permanent settlement.
One major factor is dual citizenship policies.
Since India does not allow dual citizenship, Indians who wish to fully integrate into countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and several European nations are compelled to formally surrender their Indian passports in order to gain full civic and professional rights abroad.
Another driving force is career mobility and economic security. Many Indians have moved overseas for better-paying jobs, predictable regulatory environments, stronger social security systems, and clearer pathways for professional growth.
Citizenship in these countries often provides greater access to government jobs, research funding, business opportunities, and long-term stability.
Education and family considerations also play a significant role. Indians who migrated decades ago often choose foreign citizenship to ensure better educational prospects, healthcare access, and social benefits for their children, particularly in countries with strong public infrastructure.
At the same time, analysts note that many Indians who left the country did so during periods of transition and reform, when India was undergoing rapid economic, political, and social change.
Ironically, some of these departures occurred just before India began accelerating toward a more globally integrated, digitally driven future, marked by infrastructure expansion, startup growth, and international economic engagement.
Migration Does Not Mean Disengagement
Importantly, renouncing citizenship does not necessarily signal disconnection from India. Many former Indian citizens continue to maintain deep emotional, cultural, and economic ties with the country.
Through investments, remittances, philanthropy, and professional collaboration, the Indian diaspora remains one of India’s strongest global assets.
Government data consistently shows that overseas Indians contribute billions of dollars in remittances annually, support Indian startups, and act as informal ambassadors for Indian interests worldwide.
A Broader Question for Policymakers
The rising number of citizenship renunciations has prompted questions about whether India should revisit policies on dual citizenship, diaspora engagement, and global mobility.
As India positions itself as a leading global power in the coming decades, policymakers face the challenge of retaining talent while also leveraging the strengths of a global Indian community.
The figures placed before Parliament highlight not just a statistical trend, but a deeper story of aspiration, opportunity, and global interconnectedness—one that reflects both the ambitions of individual Indians and the realities of a rapidly globalising world.
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