Chandigarh, The IndUS Canada Foundation has welcomed the Govt of India’s latest notification on the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, particularly the complete digitisation of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) framework. The move to shift OCI registration, renewal and cancellation processes fully online is being seen as a progressive step towards improving efficiency, transparency and ease of access for the global Indian diaspora.
The Foundation feels that the introduction of electronic OCI (e-OCI) cards, streamlined application procedures and enhanced digital record-keeping will significantly benefit millions of overseas Indians, especially in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
However, while appreciating these reforms, Vikram Bajwa, President, Indus Canada Foundation reiterated its long-standing demand for granting full dual citizenship rights to the estimated 13 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who are citizens of these countries. The Foundation emphasized that dual citizenship has historically been a key expectation of the Indian diaspora and was earlier promised by former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee during international engagements.
Highlighting the global geopolitical context, the Foundation stated that enabling dual citizenship could further strengthen India’s strategic and economic ties with Western nations. It added that deeper diaspora integration could play a constructive role in shaping foreign policy outcomes and enhancing India’s global influence.
The Foundation has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to introduce a Bill in Parliament to initiate a structured debate on dual citizenship. It suggested that such a policy framework may consider a calibrated approach, focusing on select countries while excluding regions that may pose security concerns to India.
According to the Bajwa, enabling dual citizenship could unlock significant opportunities in investment, education, and economic growth in Punjab, with similar benefits extendable to states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, which have large NRI populations.