SOURCE: Times Now Digital
As many as 2,120 Pakistan nationals, 188 Afghanistan nationals and 99 Bangladesh nationals were granted Indian citizenship in the last three years, the government informed on Monday. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai made the declaration in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
In the previous five years, as many as 18,855 people of 56 nationalities were given Indian citizenship. On Sunday, Rai had told the Lok Sabha that a total of 15,012 Bangaldeshi, 2,668 Pakistani, 109 Sri Lankan, 665 Afghan, 105 American, 40 Nepali, 40 UK, 23 Kenya, 21 Malaysia, 18 Canada and 18 Singapore citizens were given Indian nationality between 2015 and 2019.
“Records of persons granted Indian citizenship under Section 5 (by registration) or Section 6 (by naturalisation) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 are maintained as per the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 are maintained as per the provisions of the said Act and rules made thereunder. These records are not maintained religion-wise,” the MoS said.
After signing of the Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundry Agreement, 14,864 Bangladeshi nationals were granted Indian citizenship under Section 7 of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
In the last one decade, more than 21,000 foreigners obtained Indian citizenship.
