New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reported to the Rajya Sabha that over 2.16 lakh Indians renounced their citizenship in 2023. This data was disclosed in response to questions about the number of Indian citizens relinquishing their citizenship over recent years.
Singh’s statement provided figures for previous years: 2.25 lakh in 2022, 1.63 lakh in 2021, 85,256 in 2020, and 1.44 lakh in 2019. AAP leader Raghav Chadha questioned whether the government had investigated the reasons behind these high numbers and the impact of such renunciations on the country’s intellectual and financial resources.
In response, Singh noted that the reasons for renouncing citizenship are personal. He highlighted that the Indian government recognizes the value of its global diaspora and is working to leverage their potential for national growth. Singh emphasized that a prosperous and influential diaspora is a significant asset for India, contributing to the country’s soft power and global presence.