Why in the News?

• India has extended OCI card eligibility to the sixth generation of Indian-origin people in Sri Lanka.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About OCI Scheme (Features, Eligibility, Significance, Merger between OCI and PIO)
• News Summary (Key Highlights of the Visit)

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Scheme

• The OCI scheme was introduced in 2005 through an amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• It provides a form of long-term residency and travel facility to persons of Indian origin who are citizens of other countries.
• Eligibility and Features
  • OCI status is granted to foreign nationals who can prove Indian ancestry. Earlier, eligibility was generally limited to up to the fourth generation in certain cases.
  • OCI cardholders enjoy multiple-entry, lifelong visa access to India. They are exempt from registering with local police authorities for long stays.
  • They are also granted parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in areas such as education and economic opportunities, except for political rights.
  • However, OCI is not dual citizenship. OCI holders cannot vote, hold constitutional posts, or acquire agricultural land.
• Significance of OCI Scheme
  • The OCI scheme strengthens India’s engagement with its diaspora. It promotes cultural ties, facilitates investment, and enhances people-to-people connections.
  • It also plays a strategic role in foreign policy, particularly in regions with significant Indian-origin populations such as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Southeast Asia.
• Merger of PIO and OCI
  • The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) scheme and the OCI scheme were both introduced to facilitate engagement with the Indian diaspora.
  • However, the PIO scheme was later merged with OCI in 2015 to simplify administrative processes and remove duplication between the two schemes.
  • It also strengthened India’s engagement with its diaspora by offering a unified and more beneficial framework under OCI.

News Summary

• During a two-day visit to Sri Lanka, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan announced that OCI card eligibility will now be extended to the sixth generation of Indian-origin people in Sri Lanka.
• Previously, eligibility was restricted to the fourth generation. The new policy significantly expands the coverage of the Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka.
• OCI cards will now be issued based on documents provided by the Sri Lankan government in many cases, which simplifies the application process.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• During the visit, the Vice-President held discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on bilateral issues, including economic cooperation, housing projects, and fishermen-related concerns.
• Both countries emphasised strengthening cooperation in sectors such as energy, trade, education, and tourism. A key focus was the proposed energy hub in Trincomalee, including infrastructure like fuel pipelines and oil tank farms.
• The discussions also included India-funded housing projects and assistance under a $450 million package for cyclone recovery. Several MoUs were signed to advance these projects.
• Fishermen’s issues, a sensitive aspect of India-Sri Lanka relations, were addressed with an emphasis on a humanitarian approach that considers the livelihoods of fishing communities on both sides.
• Additionally, India reiterated its commitment to Sri Lanka under its “Neighbourhood First” policy.
• Sri Lanka acknowledged India’s role as a “first responder” during crises, including economic assistance during the 2022 financial crisis and disaster support.