New Delhi, June 25: The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and not conclusive proof of citizenship, triggering renewed discussion on documents used to establish citizenship in India.
The clarification was issued during Passport Seva Divas events, where officials explained that passports are issued to facilitate international travel and establish nationality abroad, but they do not by themselves determine citizenship status under Indian law.
Passport Clarification Revives Citizenship Debate
The Ministry stated that although passports are issued after verification and are generally issued to Indian citizens, the document itself is legally treated as a travel document rather than definitive proof of citizenship.
Government sources later clarified that this position is not a new policy and has existed under the legal framework governing passports for decades. They referred to provisions under the Passports Act, 1967 while explaining the distinction between a passport and formal citizenship determination.
The clarification has led to wider public discussion over what constitutes proof of citizenship in India. Legal experts note that citizenship is governed by the Citizenship Act and may be established through supporting records depending on the basis of citizenship, such as birth, descent, registration or naturalisation.
The statement also comes after recent public discussions around the legal status of identity documents and their role in establishing citizenship.
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