India: Passport not proof of citizenship, ministry says, sparking social media debate

India news: Passport not proof of citizenship, ministry says Published June 25, 2026last updated June 25, 2026What you need to know - India's passport is a travel document and not proof of citizenship, says Foreign Ministry - India and EU reiterate commitment to protect human rights - PM Modi says India ready to extend 'all possible assistance' after deadly Venezuela earthquake Here are the latest developments from India on Thursday, June 25, 2026: Passport travel document, not a proof of citizenship, Foreign Ministry says The Indian passport is primarily a travel document and should not be treated as a conclusive proof of citizenship, a senior official of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said, according to Indian media reports. The remarks were made as the official sought to clarify the legal scope of the document in response to a question at an event held on Wednesday to mark the expansion of passport services. "Even though while travelling abroad, passport attests to your nationality, yet it is not a document of your citizenship," The Hindu daily quoted the official as saying in response to its query. The clarification from the Foreign Ministry comes at a moment when the Election Commission of India is undertaking a controversial revision of electoral rolls, wherein voters are required to furnish documents to establish eligibility —including proof of citizenship. People ask what proves Indian citizenship The statement soon triggered a social media debate, with several users expressing their confusion over what the Foreign Ministry meant and what documents establish a proof of citizenship. Some users shared pictures of their passports, with the text "Indian" mentioned next to nationality and asked how the passport does not prove citizenship. Last year, the Supreme Court also said that Aadhaar — India's biometric identity scheme — was not conclusive proof of citizenship. "Passport is not a document of Citizenship. Aadhar Card is not a document of Citizenship. Voter ID Card is not a document of citizenship. Then what is the proof?" another X post said. Critics, opposition criticize Foreign Ministry remarks on passport Veteran Indian screenwriter, lyricist and political activist Javed Akhtar called the ministry's clarification "absurd". "The ministry of external affairs says that a passport is a document travel not the proof of citizen ship . Really ??? . So are they providing this travel document to some people without being totally convinced that this person is an Indian citizen ??" he wrote on X. Some opposition politicians also slammed the Foreign Ministry's statement. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned whether the statement would "create doubts in the minds of other countries, of whether non Indians get Indian Passports as a travel document?" "Beyond its very confused foreign policy, how much more absurd can the MEA become," he added. Others took a dig at the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party-led government. "It would seem that the only proof of Indian citizenship today is to be both Hindu and a BJP voter. Nothing else will do," Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said. Welcome to our coverage! This is Dharvi Vaid Dhulia from DW's studio in New Delhi, bringing you our daily news capsule of all the biggest developments making headlines in India. The travel season for India's summer holidayers is entering its last leg as rains lash several parts of the country and students prepare to get back to school. Speaking of travel, the Indian passport has found itself in the center of a social media furore after the country's Foreign Ministry said that it does not serve as a proof of citizenship and is primarily a travel document. Some people are now questioning what really constitutes as citizenship proof in India. In news from the world of international relations, the 12th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue has concluded with the two sides reiterating their commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights. And following a massive double earthquake in Venezuela, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered New Delhi's assistance to Caracas. Stay with us as we unpack all this and more.