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GOPIO welcomes relaxation in passport surrender rules

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), has welcomed a recent decision made by the Government of India to relax rules for surrender of certificate for those Indians who had taken up American citizenship, or that of any other country, in the past.

The two relaxed rules are elimination of surrender certificate from those who became naturalised citizens more than 10 years ago, and an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) application need not be accompanied by an original US passport.

It is heartening to know that two of the demands have been accepted and implemented by India's Ministry of External Affairs with directives to all Indian High Commissions and Consulates, GOPIO said.

The elimination of surrender certificate requirement from people who have obtained foreign citizenship more than ten years ago, will not only stop the decline of goodwill in the Indian community for the Government of India but can also reduce workload at the consulates, said Inder Singh, GOPIO chairman.

"Now that the work load will be less, Indian missions in western countries and Travisa should finish off all the backlogs soon and make the process of getting an OCI card and entry visa to India easier for the Indian community," said Thomas Abraham, former chairman of GOPIO International, who has been involved in this issue from the beginning.

"This is a welcome action that removes an undue burden on former citizens of India and improves goodwill towards India"", said Ashook Ramsaran, executive vice president of GOPIO International.