“Once an Indian, always an Indian” goes the saying, but in an increasingly globalized world, this sentiment faces a complex legal question: Should India allow dual citizenship? Millions of Indians have established lives overseas, contributing significantly to their adopted nations. This outflow raises important questions. What is India’s relationship with its diaspora? What are the economic and social implications? Many countries permit their citizens to hold multiple nationalities. India’s current policy, however, largely restricts this. Explore here the arguments for and against dual citizenship and its potential impact on India.
Over 32 million Indians live abroad — the world’s largest diaspora. Many of them have taken foreign citizenship for better jobs, education, or safety. However, the Indian Constitution does not allow dual citizenship. This raises a strong debate: Should India change this?
Global Trends in Dual Citizenship
- Dual citizenship is increasingly common and globally accepted: by 2020, about 76% of countries were tolerant of dual citizenship, allowing citizens to voluntarily acquire a second nationality without losing their original one
- In 2023, Switzerland had 21% dual citizens (1,125,300 people).
- Around 7% of the Netherlands’ population were dual nationals (close to 1 million).
- Canada had about 3% of its population with dual citizenship.
- Spain, Portugal, and Croatia each had about 2% dual nationals.
- Many Central/Eastern European countries had less than 1% dual nationals.
- Spain’s dual national population grew from 159,000 in 2002 to 805,000 in 2014.
- China and India are notable countries that strictly prohibit dual citizenship.
- Singaporean passport holders had visa-free access to 195 countries in 2025.
- Holders of the weakest passports (e.g., Afghanistan, Syria) could enter fewer than 30 countries visa-free in 2025.
- The US naturalized 818,500 people in fiscal year 2024.
- Over 2.6 million people became US citizens in the three years leading up to fiscal year 2024.
What Is Dual Citizenship?
Dual citizenship means a person can be a citizen of two countries at the same time. They enjoy the rights and follow the duties of both. This can happen by birth, marriage, or through a process called naturalization. Not all countries permit dual citizenship. For example, India does not allow it. However, many countries do, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Having dual citizenship can offer benefits like increased travel freedom and the ability to work in two countries. However, it can also lead to complex issues like dual taxation and potential conflicts of legal obligations.
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Citizenship vs OCI
| Feature | Indian Citizenship | OCI Card Holder |
| Voting Rights | Yes | No |
| Government Jobs | Yes | No |
| Property in Agriculture | Yes | No |
| Passport | Indian Passport | Not allowed |
| Lifelong Stay | Yes | Yes |
Arguments in Favour of Dual Citizenship
Here are arguments that support dual citizenship:
- Greater freedom of movement for travel.
- More opportunities for work and business.
- Access to better social welfare systems.
- Easier to own property in multiple nations.
- Stronger ties to different cultures.
- Ability to participate in two political systems.
- Having two passports can be useful.
- Increased personal security in some situations.
- Potential for broader educational opportunities.
- Supports global interconnectedness.
- In FY 2022–23, Indians abroad sent $112 billion in remittances, the highest in the world.
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Arguments Against Dual Citizenship
Here are arguments against dual citizenship:
- Potential for conflicting loyalties.
- Risk of double taxation.
- Possible issues with military service obligations.
- Complex legal and administrative burdens.
- Concerns about national security.
- May create unequal rights and responsibilities.
- Difficult to track citizens for certain purposes.
- Potential for diplomatic complications.
- Questions about civic integration.
- Possibility of exploiting legal loopholes.
What Other Countries Do
| Country | Allows Dual Citizenship? |
| USA | Yes |
| UK | Yes |
| Canada | Yes |
| Germany | Limited |
| China | No |
| India | No |
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India’s global presence is growing. With so many Indians abroad, the demand for dual citizenship will rise. A balanced approach can help — one that respects India’s laws while welcoming global Indians. The debate should not be about either/or. It should be about how best to include Indians abroad in the nation’s future.
