Fugitive billionaire Lalit Modi is facing increased scrutiny after Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, ordered the cancellation of the passport that his government had issued to him. This decision comes on the heels of India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirming that Modi had requested the cancellation of his Indian passport.
Prime Minister Napat announced that he had instructed the Citizenship Commission to begin the proceedings to revoke Modi’s Vanuatu passport. He clarified that the passport was granted after thorough background checks, including screenings by Interpol, which had previously rejected India’s requests to issue an alert on Modi, citing a lack of substantial judicial evidence.
Following the announcement, Modi took to social media to share images and videos from his time in Vanuatu, describing it as a “heavenly country” and recommending it as a travel destination. Known for founding the Indian Premier League, Modi has been living outside India since 2010, and he is wanted in India due to allegations of financial fraud.
Last week, it was revealed that Modi had reached out to the Indian High Commission in the UK to request the cancellation of his Indian passport. An official spokesperson indicated that the government is examining his application in accordance with existing laws while continuing to pursue legal actions against him.
Additionally, the relationship between Vanuatu and India has been strengthened through initiatives such as the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), which aims to provide development assistance to Pacific island nations. This development underlines how even as individuals face legal challenges, diplomatic ties remain essential in shaping international relations.
In light of the situation, it seems important for countries to continually review their policy frameworks concerning citizenship and immigration to safeguard against misuse while balancing diplomatic relations. The unfolding events surrounding Modi’s situation also serve as a reminder of the complexities of international law and the challenges in cross-border legal matters.
Leave a comment