On Friday, India assured the Sikh community in Iran that it will consider their demand for dual citizenship. The community numbers about 250 families in the country.
Visiting the only gurdwara in the country on the first day of his three-day tour, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said that he would take up their demand with the Iranian authorities. Iranian laws do not permit dual citizenship and the Sikh community has appealed to the Indian government to request Tehran to make an exception for them.
Singh said he would also take up with Tehran the issue of their problems relating to renewal of their stay permit each year ans the problems relating to ownership of property.
Describing the gurdwara as a 'proud symbol of traditional links' between India and Iran, he said 'the role of Indian diaspora and in particular of Sikh community has been recognised by India.'
He said the United Progressive Alliance government, particularly Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, remained committed to redressing issues of interest to the community.
About 200 Indians, other than the Sikhs, were present at the occasion. Singh also visited an Indian school next door, which was started by the Sikh community and has now been turned into a Kendriya Vidyalaya, catering to Indian and other countries' students.
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