Indian Preference for Australia Over New Zealand Grows

Comparatively, among the 135 countries where Indians pursued citizenship, New Zealand secured a modest sixth position, while the United States claimed the top spot

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

Australia is steadily emerging as the favored choice among Indians seeking a new homeland, particularly when it comes to obtaining citizenship. The year 2021 saw a notable surge in the number of Indians obtaining Australian nationality, with an impressive count of 23,533 individuals making this significant transition, as reported by rnz.co.nz.

Comparatively, among the 135 countries where Indians pursued citizenship, New Zealand secured a modest sixth position, while the United States claimed the top spot. Analyzing the statistics from previous years, it becomes evident that Australia has been consistently more appealing to Indians seeking citizenship. In 2019, the count of Indians gaining Australian nationality exceeded 21,000, while a mere 4,413 opted for Kiwi passports. Although the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a decline in both countries in 2020, Australia managed to maintain its commendable second place.

The trend continued in 2021, with both Australia and New Zealand witnessing an upward trajectory in the acquisition of Indian citizens. A noteworthy 23,533 Indians opted for Australian citizenship, while a significantly smaller fraction chose to embrace Kiwi citizenship.

The Indian government reports a staggering figure of over 390,000 Indians surrendering their Indian passports over the past three years. It is important to note that India, like several other Asian nations, does not permit its citizens to hold dual nationalities

A glance at the 2018 census data reveals that New Zealand is home to approximately 240,000 individuals of Indian ethnicity. Within this demographic, about 80,000 are categorized as non-resident Indians (NRIs), retaining their Indian citizenship, whereas the rest constitute individuals of Indian origin (PIO).

On the other hand, Australia boasts a substantial count of at least 241,000 NRIs and a minimum of 255,000 PIOs. This substantial presence potentially contributes to the higher number of Indians adopting Australian citizenship.

The Indian government reports a staggering figure of over 390,000 Indians surrendering their Indian passports over the past three years. It is important to note that India, like several other Asian nations, does not permit its citizens to hold dual nationalities. However, Indians do have the option to become overseas citizens of India, a form of permanent residency that grants them the privilege to live and work indefinitely within the country.

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(न्यूजीलैंड निवासी लेखक/ पत्रकार प्रीता व्यास का रेडियो पर लंबी पारी के बाद प्रकाशन में भी कई दशक का योगदान। बच्चों के लिए लगभग दो सौ पुस्तकें प्रकाशित। पहली भारतीय लेखक जिन्होंने इंडोनेशियन भाषा और हिंदी में बाई लिंगुअल भाषा ज्ञान, व्याकरण की तीन पुस्तकें, इंडोनेशिया की लोक कथाएं, बाली की लोक कथाएं, बाली के मंदिरों के मिथक, एवं माओरी लोक कथाएं जैसी रचनाएँ प्रकाशित कीं ।) After working many years as a radio broadcaster, Journalist and Author, Preeta Vyas has come out with 200 books for children. She is the only writer of Indian origin who has written bilingual books in Indonesian and Hindi languages; Bali ki Lok Kathayen (folk stories of Bali); Bali ke Mandiron ka Mithak (Myths of Bali Temples); and Maori LOk Kathayen (Maori Folk Stories). She is based in New Zealand.)

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