Akaay's Citizenship: Is Virat-Anushka's Son Indian Or British? Understanding The Rules

Star India cricketer Virat Kohli on Tuesday announced that he and his actress wife Anushka Sharma have been blessed with a baby boy on February 15.

"With abundant happiness and our hearts full of love, we are pleased to inform everyone that on 15th February, we welcomed our baby boy Akaay & Vamika's little brother into this world!," Kohli informed in an Instagram post.

"We seek your blessings and good wishes in this beautiful time in our lives. We request you to kindly respect our privacy at this time." It has to be noted that Kohli and Anushka are already proud parents of a three-year-old daughter Vamika.

As the news of Anuska delivering a baby in London surfaced, lots of debates started doing rounds about whether Akaay would be an Indian or British.

What Does The Law Say?

A child born in the UK will not automatically become a British citizen. They can only become one if at least one parent is British or has lived in the UK for a long time. Similarly, if a child is born outside the UK to British parents, they might become British, depending on their parents' citizenship status.

For example, Virat and Anushka own a house in London, but Akaay won't be a British citizen just because of that. He'll get a UK passport but will remain an Indian citizen.

A child can acquire British citizenship either by birth or by registration. If born abroad to a British parent, they may become British by descent, depending on the parent's citizenship. If a British father and non-British mother had a child before July 1, 2006, the child doesn't automatically get citizenship but can apply for it. If a child doesn't automatically get British citizenship at birth, they can apply for it later through registration with the Home Office. Certain conditions apply, like if they were born in the UK and one parent becomes British before the child turns 18.

What Indian Law Says?

As per Foreigners Division Ministry of Home Affairs, a person born outside India on or after 3rd December, 2004 shall not be a citizen of India, unless the parents declare that the minor does not hold passport of another country and his birth is registered at an Indian consulate within one year of the date of birth or with the permission of the Central Government, after the expiry of the said period.