The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has asserted that a passport is not proof of citizenship and that it is ‘primarily a travel document’.

At an event in New Delhi, a senior MEA official clarified that a passport should not be treated as a citizenship document. He said that a passport serves to attest the nationality of Indians when they are abroad.

The government brought into focus Section 20 of the Passports Act, 1967, which provides for the issuance of passports to non-citizens.

The Act states: ‘Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions relating to issue of a passport or travel document, the Central Government may issue, or cause to be issued, a passport or travel document to a person who is not a citizen of India if that Government is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do in the public interest.’

In September last, the Supreme Court declared that Aadhaar as a standalone document cannot be accepted as sole proof of citizenship for voter enrolment as its legal status cannot be expanded beyond what is provided under existing law. Therefore, the Supreme Court declined requests to treat Aadhaar as a sole valid document for establishing citizenship. – editor@nrifocus.com