The North News
Chandigarh, November 28
IndUS Canada, a coalition of 79 diaspora organisations across the United States and Canada, has renewed its call for the Indian government to introduce dual citizenship or expand the rights available under Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. While addressing a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club yesterday, the forum’s president, Vikram Bajwa, said dual citizenship would be a “transformative reform” that could strengthen India’s global influence and deepen its ties with millions of Indians living abroad. Citing figures from the Ministry of External Affairs, Bajwa said more than eight million people of Indian origin live in the US and Canada, forming what he described as one of India’s most significant strategic assets. But without the legal stability and rights offered by dual citizenship, he said, India was unable to fully tap into their financial capacity, professional networks or political influence.
Bajwa argued that several countries — including Israel, Canada, the UK, Australia and Pakistan — already use dual citizenship to bolster their global reach. “If these nations can empower their diaspora for national growth, why should India restrict itself to a lifelong visa under OCI?” he asked.
He described dual citizenship as a reform that could accelerate India’s economic ambitions and align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat. The change, he said, would also provide security to Overseas Indians facing economic uncertainty in countries such as the US amid shifting tariff policies and geopolitical tensions.
Bajwa raised concerns about safety issues affecting Indian communities in Canada, particularly those from Punjab. Dual citizenship, he said, would offer families greater legal protection and reassurance during periods of instability.
IndUS Canada said the reform could also boost investment flows into India, with deeper legal and emotional ties encouraging long-term commitments across technology, manufacturing, real estate, infrastructure and emerging sectors. The group added that knowledge-sharing, research partnerships and cross-border innovation would become more seamless.
The forum said tourism, philanthropy and community-led development would likely rise as well, with simpler compliance rules and stronger engagement from diaspora families.
IndUS Canada has urged the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi to consider the long-standing demand, describing dual citizenship as a pathway to enhancing India’s economic strength, soft power and global standing.
