MEA says passport is document, not citizenship proof

The Ministry of External Affairs clarified on Wednesday that an Indian passport is a travel document and should not be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship. Officials made the statement during a briefing on the country's passport and mobility ecosystem, held on the occasion of the 14th Passport Seva Divas, which marks the enactment of the Passports Act of 1967.

Officials stressed that while passports are issued only to Indian citizens, their primary purpose is to facilitate international travel and attest to nationality abroad. The clarification aligns with previous judicial observations that other common documents, such as the Aadhaar card and voter ID card, are also not definitive proof of citizenship. The ministry noted that citizenship is determined under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The announcement prompted significant discussion on social media, with some political figures and users questioning the logic of the statement and expressing confusion over what does constitute proof of citizenship. A Shiv Sena (UBT) leader called the clarification absurd, while some social media users wondered if it implied non-citizens could obtain passports. Officials...