For subscribers
Overseas citizens anxious as India cancels permanent residence for over 100 in diaspora
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
More than 4.5 million people across the world are overseas citizens of India. The status allows foreign citizens of Indian origin or foreigners married to Indian citizens to enter India without a visa, and to reside, work and hold property, among other benefits.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
BENGALURU - Academic Ashok Swain had been teaching peace and conflict studies for 33 years in Sweden, and a few years ago, the Swedish citizen of Indian origin made plans to retire. He built a house in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
Those plans have now fallen apart as Professor Swain had his residency status in India revoked after the authorities alleged he wrote tweets critical of the Indian government. “I had always planned to move back to India after I retired, but now, I’m banned from even entering the country,” the 59-year-old said.
