Dual citizenship scheme is now operational: PM

Tashkent, Apr 26: The scheme of dual nationality for Indians settled abroad is now operational and various ministries concerned are constantly looking at simplifying procedures in fields like insurance, investment and purchase of property to assist them, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced here today.

''We have taken several initiatives which have found a positive resonance amongst Indian abroad,'' Dr Singh said, during an interaction with Indian nationals and prominent indologists in Uzbekistan.

He said India recognised the significant contribution being made by non-resident and overseas Indians in the development of the Indian economy and commerce. Acknowledging the importance of their work and to address their specific requirements, he said one of the first decisions the UPA Government took was to set up the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to address the concerns of the Indian diaspora.

Noting that Indians abroad had achieved remarkable success and had earned goowill for their country, Dr Singh said the professionalism, sincerity, hard work and competence of the Indian disapora had made the country synonymous with quality and dependability, particularly in the context of high technology areas.

He was happy that the Uzbekistan Government had offered Indian nationals a congenial working environment. ''For a long time, Tashkent has been a centre of studies of our languages and history.

Many prominent scholars who have dedicated their lives to study and research about India are here today, and I convey my sincerest tribute to them for their sustained efforts to build links between the academics and institutions of our two countries,'' he added.

Dr Singh said the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies had important programmes of studies and research on subjects related to India. ''Recognising their valuable contribution, I am pleased to announce that we will assist in the creation of a Centre of Indian Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies to be named after Mahatma Gandhi,'' he said.

Dr Singh also invited indologists to come to India and to build linkages with Indian academic and research institutions which would make a lasting contribution to the relationship between India and Uzbekistan.

UNI