The Prime Minister of Vanuatu has asked authorities to cancel the fresh passport issued to Lalit Modi. This comes after revelations in international media about Lalit Modi being a fugitive.
Days after former Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi filed an application with the Indian High Commission in London to surrender his Indian passport, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat on Monday directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the passport issued to Modi, saying that the fugitive was attempting to avoid his extradition.
The development comes following recent revelations in international media that the former IPL chief is wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies in connection with his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of crores of rupees during his stint as the top boss of the IPL.
An official media release by the Republic of Vanuatu stated, “I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the Vanuatu passport issued to Mr Lalit Modi following recent revelations in international media.”
“I have been made aware in the past 24 hours that Interpol twice rejected Indian authorities’ requests to issue an alert notice on Mr. Lalit Modi due to lack of substantive judicial evidence. Any such alert would have triggered an automatic rejection of Mr. Modi’s citizenship application,” it read.
The release also stated that the “Prime Minister emphasized that holding a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must seek citizenship for legitimate reasons.”
“None of those legitimate reasons include attempting to avoid extradition, which the recent facts brought to light clearly indicate was Mr Modi’s intension,” it read.
Is Lalit Modi a citizen of Vanuatu?
Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has applied to surrender his Indian passport at the Indian High Commission in London, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Modi, who is believed to have obtained citizenship of Vanuatu, a ‘South Pacific island nation’, left India in 2010 and has since been residing in London.
He is sought by Indian authorities for his alleged involvement in embezzling crores of rupees during his tenure as IPL’s top official. How to acquire Vanuatu citizenship: Vanuatu stands out from many European countries by not requiring residency before, during, or after obtaining citizenship, providing flexibility for potential relocators, according to a report by consulting firm Immigrant Invest.
The country imposes no personal income tax on its citizens, making it an attractive option for many. The quickest way to acquire citizenship is through an investment, starting from $130,000.
Vanuatu also offers citizenship to individuals who have legally resided in the country for at least 10 years. If an individual’s parents or grandparents are from Vanuatu, they may be eligible for citizenship. Spouses of Vanuatu citizens can apply for citizenship after two years of marriage and residency in the country.
How to travel to Vanuatu?
Vanuatu is easily accessible from various international destinations. Direct flights from Sydney, Australia, take just three hours to reach Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital.
Additionally, direct flights are available from New Zealand, Fiji, and various Pacific Island nations, making access relatively straightforward for visitors from the region.
Vanuatu’s currency is the vatu (ISO code: VUV). It is used in the country’s three official languages—English, French, and Bislama. As per the current exchange rate, 1 Indian Rupee (INR) equals approximately 1.40651 VUV.
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