India: Whether Tibetan refugees or their children are able to acquire Indian citizenship; if so how it may be acquired; if not, the situation of Tibetan refugees who are not citizens
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND30746.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Whether Tibetan refugees or their children are able to acquire Indian citizenship; if so how it may be acquired; if not, the situation of Tibetan refugees who are not citizens, 1 December 1998, IND30746.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac8148.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Citizenship Act of India, 1955 makes provision for the acquisition of citizenship either by birth (section 3) or by naturalization (section 6 read together with the Third Schedule). For information that is specific to acquisition of Indian citizenship by Tibetans, please consult CHN30745.E of 2 December 1998.
In 1996, the Government of Tibet in Exile estimated that there were approximately 105,000 Tibetans in India, with 60% residing in settlements and the remainder in scattered communities (1996). The Central Tibetan Administration, based in Dharamsala, has established schools, economic co-operatives, Primary Health Care Centers and religious establishments (ibid.). In its 1997 Country Report on India, the U.S. Committee for Refugees states that
The Indian government has been flexible in its approach to the Tibetans, who have good relations with their Indian hosts. Many Tibetans have attained economic self-sufficiency, but some, including elderly persons, women-headed families, and recent arrivals, struggle.
Specific information concerning the rights of Indian citizenship that are not extended to Tibetans in India could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Citizenship Act of India, 1955. [REFLEG]
Government of Tibet in Exile. 1996. "Tibetan Refugee Community - Integrated Development Plan." [Internet] <http://www.tibet.com/Govt/idp.html> [Accessed 22 Dec. 1998]
U.S. Committee for Refugees. 1997. "Country Report - India." [Internet] <http://www.refugees.org/world/countryrpt/scasia/india.html> [Accessed 21 Dec. 1998]
Additional Sources Consulted
Journal of Refugee Studies [Oxford]. Quarterly. 1995-1998.
International Journal of Refugee Law [Geneva]. 1995-1998.
Electronic Sources: IRB Databases, Internet, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).
