Patel backs NRIs' demand for dual citizenship

Betwa Sharma
New York, Sep 5 (PTI) Throwing his weight behind the
NRIs' demand for dual citizenship, Indian Civil Aviation
Minister Praful Patel has said the issue is "engaging the mind
and attention" of the Indian government.
Dual citizenship is not a new phenomenon and India
"should also be joining that club (of nations)," Patel said at
a Town Hall meeting on the occasion of the launch of the North
America unit of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in New York
City.
Patel said he and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who
was also present here, "fully supported" the Non-Resident
Indians' demand for dual citizenship and promised to take it
up in New Delhi.
With issues like dual citizenship and visa problems
emerging as main concerns of the Indian-Americans, Patel said
these matters were "engaging the mind and attention" of the
government, which is also dealing with terrorism and security
threats.
Indian-Americans have termed the government's visa
policies as "unfair", contending that their presence abroad
contributed to India's growth and development through large
remittances and Foreign Direct Investments.
Describing the opening of NCP North America Inc as an
"important milestone", Patel noted that with the exception of
Congress and BJP, there were very few parties that enjoyed
support from the diaspora.
"This (opening of the North America unit) is a good omen
for the NCP," he said yesterday, noting that the beginning for
their party was "modest".
"NCP North America in the years to come will grow from
strength-to-strength," Patel said. "Participation of the
Indian-American diaspora will be very meaningful and welcome."
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