By Dr. Ambika P. Adhikari :: Since its inception in 2003, a major demand of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has been the continuation of Nepali citizenship (CNC) for those individuals who have taken citizenship of countries outside the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. During the last eleven years, NRNA has closely worked with the Nepali Government, businesses and civil society in several areas of cooperation including in philanthropy, investment, economic development, and migrant workers’ welfare. In the meantime, NRNA has consistently aspired for the retention of Nepali citizenship for the Foreign Citizens of Nepali Origin (FCNO), so that the organization can be more effective in all these areas.
NRNA leaders have held dozens of rounds of discussions on the CNC agenda with political leadership, government officials, business and community leaders in Nepal. In addition, NRNA officials and members have discussed the CNC matters with hundreds of Nepali leaders and government officials whenever the Nepali delegates have visited the countries where NRNs live in significant numbers.
In the past few years, NRNA had organized many dedicated symposiums in Nepal on CNC issues inviting parliamentarians, ministers and other leaders. Those symposiums have discussed in detail the benefits of a CNC regime, and how such a regime could benefit both Nepal and NRNs. In most occasions, with a few exceptions, the vast majority of Nepali political leaders and officials have expressed their support to the CNC related demands of NRNA.
As Nepal is currently drafting a new constitution, NRNA leaders have tried to ensure that its demands related to CNC are also included in the draft. It appears that up to some extent, the Nepali constitution drafting committee has reflected the aspirations of the NRNA, and a reference to the provision of some form of Nepali citizenship to the FCNO has been agreed upon. We understand that, as a minimum, the FCNO may get something like a “NRN Citizenship”, which allows all but political rights in Nepal. However, the vast majority of NRNs are still hoping that Nepal will agree to the retention of full Nepali citizenship benefits for those FCNO who were former Nepali citizens.
The NRN leaders in the US have fully supported the NRNA global leadership’s position, and have frequently taken lead roles in pushing for this agenda. The CNC issue is important to most of the NRNs across the world, but it is of immediate concern to those FCNO who live in Western Europe, North America and Oceania.
As more and more Nepalis are migrating to the advanced countries to live there permanently, the CNC issue has become an increasingly important agenda for all involved. NRNA leaders including the current president Mr. Ghale and Chief Patron Mr. Thapa, have made untiring efforts to lobby for the CNC provision in Nepal. Additionally, the CNC issue has become relevant to an increasing number of families in Nepal, including those in the Nepali government leaders and officials. Thus, the CNC issue no longer invokes “we” vs “them” syndrome in the Nepali leaders and the NRN. Both sides now feel the issue concerns them personally. Further, as Nepal’s neighbors like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have also adopted a regime to provide their respective Diaspora groups a varying degree of citizenship benefits; the Nepalis leaders would also likely feel more comfortable to adopt a CNC regime.
Providing Nepali citizenship benefits to FCNO is a win-win arrangement for both sides. Nepal will benefit from the economic and social dividends that will come from an enhanced emotional bond between the FCNO and the native land. FCNO will enjoy the benefit of visiting, investing, working or retiring in Nepal without feeling like a foreigner. How the CNC provisions will work for the children and spouses of FCNO needs further review.
:: About Author: Dr. Ambika P. Adhikari, Research Professor – Affiliate Faculty, Arizona State University, Patron, NRNA ICC.
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