India’s passport clarification fuels questions over citizenship documentation

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and should not be regarded as conclusive proof of citizenship, according to Indian media reports.

The clarification was made by a senior MEA official during an event on Wednesday marking the expansion of passport services, in response to a question about the legal status of the document.

“Even though while travelling abroad, passport attests to your nationality, yet it is not a document of your citizenship,” The Hindu quoted the official as saying.

The ministry’s remarks come as the Election Commission of India carries out a controversial revision of electoral rolls, requiring voters to submit documents establishing their eligibility, including proof of citizenship.

The statement prompted widespread debate on social media, with many users questioning what documents constitute proof of Indian citizenship.

Some users shared photographs of their passports, noting that “Indian” appears under nationality, and questioned how the document could not be considered proof of citizenship.

The debate also revived discussion over other identity documents. Last year, India’s Supreme Court ruled that Aadhaar, the country’s biometric identity scheme, is not conclusive proof of citizenship.

“Passport is not a document of Citizenship. Aadhar Card is not a document of Citizenship. Voter ID Card is not a document of citizenship. Then what is the proof?” one post on X asked.

The clarification also drew criticism from public figures and opposition politicians.

Veteran screenwriter, lyricist and political activist Javed Akhtar described the ministry’s position as “absurd”, questioning whether passports were being issued without authorities first being satisfied that the holder was an Indian citizen.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said the statement could “create doubts in the minds of other countries” about whether non-Indians could obtain Indian passports as travel documents. He added: “Beyond its very confused foreign policy, how much more absurd can the MEA become.”

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also criticised the government, saying: “It would seem that the only proof of Indian citizenship today is to be both Hindu and a BJP voter. Nothing else will do.”