Lalit Modi Acquires Vanuatu Citizenship Amid Legal Troubles

Lalit Modi has acquired citizenship in Vanuatu while facing charges of money laundering and tax evasion. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed his application to surrender his Indian passport. Vanuatu’s appealing golden passport program offers quick citizenship for wealthy individuals, raising concerns about possible exploitation by criminals.

Lalit Modi, the former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and a fugitive, has recently acquired citizenship from Vanuatu, a small island nation in the Pacific. This development was confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) during a media briefing. Modi is currently facing serious allegations of money laundering and tax evasion and has intended to surrender his Indian passport at the High Commission in London.

The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, “Lalit Modi has made an application for surrender of his passport at the High Commission of India in London. The same will be examined in light of extant rules and procedures. We are also given to understand that he has acquired citizenship of Vanuatu.” This revelation adds a new dimension to Modi’s prolonged legal troubles that began fifteen years ago when he escaped to the UK.

Vanuatu’s attractive golden passport program allows affluent individuals to obtain citizenship for a fee of approximately USD 150,000, requiring minimal documentation and facilitating a swift application process that typically lasts about one month. This program’s efficiency makes it appealing, especially since individuals may complete the process without physically visiting the country.

In addition, Vanuatu passports offer holders visa-free access to over 120 countries, including the UK and several European nations. The program has become crucial for Vanuatu’s economy, contributing nearly 40% of its revenue. This influx has enabled the country to report a budget surplus, even amid global economic challenges stemming from the Covid pandemic.

The citizenship program has gained popularity, particularly among Indians and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), with reports indicating at least 30 Indians secured Vanuatu citizenship in the last two years. However, the program has drawn criticism due to its potential exploitation by criminal organizations seeking to bypass regulations for entry into the EU and UK. Investigations show many applicants have been linked to offshore enterprises.

In summary, Lalit Modi’s acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship underscores a significant trend whereby wealthy individuals leverage the nation’s lenient golden passport program. Despite facing severe legal challenges in India, Modi’s new status allows greater mobility internationally while emphasizing concerns regarding the potential misuse of such programs by criminal entities. This situation calls for careful scrutiny of international citizenship regulations and their implications.

Original Source: www.indiatoday.in