OCI Card Now Made Available To The Indian-Origin Mauritians
Indian nationals and their spouses may live and work in India permanently with Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), a type of permanent residency. Along with privileges like land ownership and other investment opportunities, it grants cardholders lifetime entrance into the nation.
Despite its name, OCI does not confer the right to vote in Indian elections or hold public office. It is not recognised as citizenship by the Republic of India or by most other countries around the globe.
There are several different situations in which the Indian government may remove OCI status. Furthermore, the OCI card can only be used with a current foreign passport. The Indian Overseas Diaspora has 4 million OCI card holders as of 2022.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005, implemented the OCI scheme in response to the Indian diaspora’s requests for dual citizenship. Many of the privileges enjoyed by residents are extended to foreign nationals.
Anyone who has ever been a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan, or who is a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of one of these people, is not eligible for OCI status.
According to President Droupadi Murmu, on March 11, ANI reported that India has authorised a special provision to award an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card to those who are the seventh generation of Indian-origin people living in Mauritius.
Remarking during the National Day festivities in Mauritius’ capital, Port Louis, President Murmu mentioned the ‘Khoon ka Rishta’ and said that her government has recently approved a special provision that will allow seventh-generation Mauritians of Indian descent to also be eligible for the Overseas Citizens of India card, also known as the OCI card.
India’s Assistance through Projects for Development
Additionally, President Murmu emphasised how India supports Mauritius through a number of development initiatives. The long-standing friendship between the two countries, according to her, demonstrates solidarity in both prosperous and difficult times.
The new solar power plant, the new EMT hospital, the new Supreme Court building, the metro project, and numerous other development projects supported by India are tangible examples of India’s dedication to promoting the welfare of all Mauritiusans. This was demonstrated by the presence of a sizable Mauritian delegation during the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, India’s premier diaspora gathering, held in Indore last January, as well as by Mauritius’s involvement in our G20 presidency.
Along with highlighting recent developments, President Murmu also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s implementation of the RuPay and UPI card settlement systems in Mauritius.
Six community development projects, a jetty, and the opening of a new airfield in Agalega are among the other noteworthy initiatives. A project to provide Mauritius with reasonably priced, high-genetic medications was also revealed.
Two-way Conversations and Particular Motion
On March 11, Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jagnauth of Mauritius and President Droupadi Murmu had a “tete-a-tete” to talk about ways to improve the bilateral ties between the two countries. She was greeted with full honours at the airport when she arrived for her three-day state visit.
President Murmu gave the PM of Mauritius a RuPay card as a token of appreciation. The RuPay card services were introduced on February 12th, 2018 in Mauritius.
