Lalit Modi has secured Vanuatu citizenship, evading legal issues in India related to money laundering and tax evasion. The Ministry of External Affairs announced his intention to surrender his Indian passport. Vanuatu’s golden passport program allows for citizenship acquisition with minimal requirements and provides visa-free access to over 120 countries. However, the program’s association with criminal activities raises serious concerns.
Lalit Modi, the former chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has recently acquired citizenship in Vanuatu, an island nation known for its lax golden passport program. This significant development comes 15 years after Modi fled to the United Kingdom, where he now faces serious charges of money laundering and tax evasion. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed this acquisition during a media briefing, stating that Modi has applied to surrender his Indian passport at the High Commission in London.
The MEA’s spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, indicated that Modi’s application for passport surrender will be reviewed based on current rules and regulations. He noted, “Lalit Modi has made an application for surrender of his passport at the High Commission of India in London…We continue to pursue the case against him as required under law.” The recent citizenship acquisition adds a new dimension to an ongoing saga involving Modi’s legal troubles and India’s efforts for his extradition.
Modi’s decision to obtain Vanuatu citizenship appears strategically beneficial, as the nation offers a golden passport program which allows applicants to acquire citizenship for approximately USD 150,000 (Rs 1.3 crore) with minimal documentation and a processing time of just one month. This program has become a source of substantial revenue for Vanuatu, accounting for nearly 40% of the country’s income.
With a population of just over 300,000, Vanuatu’s golden passport is marketed as one of the fastest and most accessible options available. Citizens enjoy visa-free access to over 120 countries, including the UK and several European nations, and the country’s status as a tax haven further adds to its appeal. Reports indicate that over 30 Indians, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), have obtained Vanuatu citizenship in recent years, although the majority of passport grants have been to Chinese nationals.
However, the golden passport program has faced criticism due to its potential misuse by criminal entities seeking easier access to the EU and UK. Investigative reports have suggested that many applicants are entangled with complex offshore enterprises, raising questions about the integrity of the citizenship process.
In summary, Lalit Modi has acquired Vanuatu citizenship, likely as a means of evading legal repercussions in India, with the MEA actively monitoring the situation. Vanuatu’s golden passport program offers quick citizenship for a fee, but its association with illicit activities poses challenges to its reputation.
The acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship by Lalit Modi underscores ongoing concerns surrounding international citizenship programs and their potential exploitation. As an individual facing serious legal charges in India, Modi’s decision reflects broader trends among wealthy individuals seeking alternative citizenship for various reasons, including legal evasion and tax advantages. The implications of Vanuatu’s citizenship program pose significant ethical and legal questions, especially concerning its ease of access for individuals with questionable backgrounds.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
