The Indian Ministry of External Affairs disclosed on December 12 that a significant number of Indian citizens have voluntarily relinquished their citizenship over the last five years. In 2023, a total of 216,219 individuals surrendered their Indian passports, following previous years that saw 225,620 renunciations in 2022, 163,370 in 2021, 85,256 in 2020, and 144,017 in 2019. This data indicates a consistent upward trend, with 122,819 cases recorded in 2011 and annual figures surpassing 100,000 in subsequent years.The Ministry specified that it does not maintain state-specific data regarding those who renounce their citizenship.
In response to a parliamentary inquiry, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided a list of countries where former Indian nationals have obtained citizenship, although this list lacked a year-wise or state-wise analysis. While the motivations for renouncing citizenship were characterized as personal, the government emphasized the importance of the Indian diaspora, stating, “The Government recognizes the potential of the global workplace in an era of knowledge economy. It has also brought about a transformational change in its engagement with the Indian diaspora.”
