Patel backs NRIs' demand for dual citizenship

NEW YORK: Throwing his weight behind the NRIs' demand for dual citizenship, 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 NRIs' 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."