Panaji, In a startling revelation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) disclosed that over 2,000 Goans have voluntarily surrendered their Indian passports and embraced Portuguese nationality in the last three years. This development came to light during a Lok Sabha inquiry led by South Goa Congress MP Francisco Sardinha.
Sardinha inquired about the number of individuals, including Goans, whose passports were revoked due to possession of Bilhete de Identidade (BI) of Portugal, which they later changed to Cartao de Cidadao. The MEA responded, confirming that 114 passports were revoked during the same period.
The core of the matter revolves around the legal complexities faced by individuals in India who register their births in Portugal. According to Portuguese law, registering one’s birth in Lisbon results in Portuguese citizenship, irrespective of holding a Portuguese passport. However, Indian law, specifically Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, dictates that acquiring citizenship of another country leads to the cessation of Indian citizenship.
Portugal’s provision granting citizenship to those who were Portuguese citizens in Goa prior to 1961, and two generations of their descendants, has been leveraged by thousands of Goans. This move allows them to obtain the powerful Portuguese passport, ranked the world’s fifth-most powerful passport according to the Henley Passport Index for 2023.
Despite the complexity of the situation, the MEA emphasized that existing laws, such as the Passports Act, 1967, and the Citizenship Act, 1955, provide a well-defined framework to regulate such cases.
Notably, the matter also raises questions about the diplomatic engagement between the Indian government and Portugal regarding the legal challenges faced by individuals in India due to BI registration. The MEA’s response did not elaborate on specific steps taken to address these challenges or outline a comprehensive policy framework.
The issue remains at the intersection of legal systems, as Goans navigate the complexities of dual citizenship and its implications on their Indian identity.
