Famed painter M F Husain may have quit his Indian citizenship, but he does not want to snap all links with the country of his birth and has applied for an Overseas Citizenship identity."India is my motherland and I simply cannot leave that country. What I have surrendered is just a piece of paper," Husain said. "I will continue to travel to India and have applied for an Overseas Citizen of India card as Indian law does not permit citizens to hold dual citizenship," he said.
Two British nationals have been sentenced to six months' imprisonment by an Indian court for illegally entering India from Nepal. The individuals, Hassan Amman Saleem and Sumitra Shakeel Olivia, were arrested in November last year for entering without valid documents.
The Centre has defended in the Delhi high court its decision to cancel the overseas citizen of India (OCI) card of United States-based journalist Raphael Satter saying he maligned Indian institutions in the international arena through journalistic activities.
'As soon as we give up our Indian citizenship and take on a foreign passport, we magically transform into individuals that are a potential threat to the country's security.'
In a bold push to expand India's talent pool, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has revealed that the federation is actively pursuing the inclusion of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) in the national football team.
From the USA to UAE, Canada to Italy, Indian-origin cricketers will represent associate nations at the T20 World Cup. Meet the Desis chasing global glory at a home away from home.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that the rights of an overseas citizen of India (OCI) cardholder cannot be arbitrarily curtailed, stating that the deportation and blacklisting of a US citizen holding an OCI card, accused of unauthorized missionary activities, did not follow proper statutory procedure. The court emphasized the need for natural justice, requiring an opportunity for the individual to be heard and contest the allegations before any action is taken.
The Delhi High Court has set aside the Centre's order cancelling the Overseas Citizen of India card of a US-based professor, saying the notice lacked specific details or evidence supporting the allegations of "anti-India activities." The court ruled that the professor was deprived of a fair chance to present a defense, violating procedural fairness and principles of natural justice. The court has directed authorities to issue a fresh notice with specific grounds and allow the professor to respond before making a decision on his entry into India.
Govt's new sports policy to encourage Indian-origin athletes abroad to represent country
'This is a positive statement of intent and the AIFF will continue to work with FIFA and the government to do all things possible to strengthen the national team.'
All existing visas granted to foreigners -- except those belonging to diplomatic, official, United Nations international organisations, employment and project categories -- shall remain suspended till prohibition on international air travel of passengers from and to India is lifted by the government, the order said.
The minister for Overseas Indian Affairs says he is aware of the problems expatriates face when they travel to India with their Overseas Citizen of India cards.
BCCI wants to adopt Olympic sports; Govt mulling approval to OCI athletes
However, under the new provisions, OCI cardholders need to carry their new passport.
India on Thursday announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens in view of "security threats" faced by its high commission and consulates in Canada, amid an escalating diplomatic row over Ottawa's allegations relating to the killing of a Khalistani separatist on Canadian soil.
'Any earnings, regardless of location, will be subject to Indian income tax.'
Under the graded relaxation, the government has decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas, except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa, the statement said.
'Denying access to the country to writers of both foreign and Indian origin casts a chill on public discourse; it flies in the face of India's traditions of free and open debate and respect for a diversity of views, and weakens its credentials as a strong and thriving democracy'
His future visit to India is likely to be banned as he allegedly concealed the fact that his father was a Pakistani.
The All India Football Federation is exploring the possibility of selecting Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) for the Indian football team.
The Supreme Court Tuesday asked an overseas citizen of India student seeking parity with Indian citizens on the fees charged by IIT, "why don't you opt for Indian citizenship and serve this country?"
Unsatisfied with BLS International Services, a visa outsourcing company, the Indian Embassy in the United States has announced for a new bid on February 5.
The Centre told the Delhi high court on Friday that American journalist Angad Singh has been blacklisted despite being an OCI cardholder for misrepresenting facts in his application for obtaining a journalistic visa and violating certain norms.
After a jam-packed day of meetings and discussions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu made their way to the Tel Aviv Convention Center where the PM addressed the Indian Diaspora to chants and a loud applause.
Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at the Tel Aviv Convention Centre at an event which was also attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Foreign nationals who are single parents of minor children holding Indian passports or OCI cards, students who are foreign nationals where at least one of their parents is an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder were allowed to visit India.
Making it clear that its decision will not be treated as "precedent for any other case", the top court, in a compassionate verdict, accorded primacy to saving the life of the child who was admitted to a private hospital in Gurugram for treatment of decompensated biliary cirrhosis (DBC).
India has been raising with China the plight of approximately 22,000 Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities who are unable to go back for physical classes. However, the neighbouring country has till date refused to let them enter.
According to a ministry of home affairs order, those allowed to travel to India include OCI cardholders who wish to come to the country on account of family emergencies. Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards, couples where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India, and university students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India were also allowed to visit the country.
A prominent Indian Diaspora body, FIIDS, on Monday urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to allow non-resident Indians and overseas citizens of India (OCI) card holders to invest in the Indian stock market. Such a move would boost the Indian economy further by attracting investment from the global Indian community, said the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) USA. FIIDS is a US-based institute for US-India policy studies and awareness.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday announced merging of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards into a single facility to simplify visa-free entry and participation of Indian Diaspora in business and other activities in New Delhi.
The Indian Americans received their Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards at a special function at the Indian consulate in Houston Wednesday.
The honorary consulate of India in Brisbane was forced to close down on Wednesday due to safety concerns after Khalistan supporters organised an unauthorised gathering and blocked the entry of the office, days after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured India that his government will not tolerate "extreme actions."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states to carve a niche for their governments in some or other sector of governance and called for giving topmost priority to 'ease of living' of people.
The Indian community said that the prime minister surpassed all of their expectations.
"It is a matter of disappointment that while understanding has been reached on most of the elements for facilitating the visit of pilgrims from India, Pakistan continues to insist on levying a service fee of $ 20 per pilgrim per visit," the MEA said.
Modi, upon arrival, was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
In a significant move, the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, to be held in Gujarat from January 7 to 9, might see the overseas citizen of India and person of Indian origin cards getting clubbed, External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday.
Days after extending more benefits to Persons of Indian Origin, the government is set to accept the recommendations of a committee which has favoured voting for Non-Resident Indians through electronic means.
The ones who came more recently were clutching the green cards that gave them an escape hatch through which to return to green pastures: Arvind Panagariya, Raghuram Rajan, Arvind Subramanian and other perfectly honourable gentlemen like them, points out T N Ninan.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances