Economic Fraud
Why Fugitive Ex-IPL Chief Lalit Modi Chose Vanuatu Citizenship and Gave Up Indian Passport?
Former IPL chairman and fugitive businessman Lalit Modi is back in the headlines—not for his personal life this time, but for securing citizenship in Vanuatu, a small island nation in the Pacific. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the development during its weekly media briefing on Friday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Modi, who is facing charges of money laundering and tax evasion, has applied at the Indian High Commission in London to surrender his Indian passport. “Lalit Modi has submitted an application for the surrender of his passport at the High Commission of India in London. The request is currently under review in accordance with existing rules and procedures. We have also been informed that he has acquired Vanuatu citizenship. The case against him remains under active pursuit as per legal protocols,” Jaiswal said.
This development adds a new dimension to the 15-year-long saga of Modi, who fled to the UK after playing a key role in establishing the Indian Premier League (IPL). India’s efforts to extradite him have seen little progress, and his latest move further complicates the legal battle.
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Vanuatu’s Golden Passport Scheme—A Quick Route to New Citizenship
Vanuatu, with a population of just over 300,000—smaller than India’s Union Territory of Puducherry—has gained global attention for its lucrative “golden passport” program. This scheme allows individuals to purchase citizenship for a payment of $150,000 (approximately Rs 1.3 crore), with minimal documentation and an entirely online process. Remarkably, the passport can be obtained within a month without even stepping foot in the country.
Marketed as one of the fastest, most affordable, and least restrictive citizenship programs in the world, Vanuatu’s golden passport scheme contributes nearly 40% of the nation’s revenue. Despite being one of the world’s poorest countries, Vanuatu reported a budget surplus in 2021, largely due to the influx of applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Vanuatu passport grants visa-free access to over 120 countries, including the UK and several European nations, making it an attractive option for high-net-worth individuals seeking global mobility. Additionally, Vanuatu serves as a tax haven, imposing no income, corporate, or wealth tax, which further boosts its appeal.
Rising Interest Among Indians and NRIs
Reports suggest that Vanuatu is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Indians and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) looking for a secondary passport. In the last two years, at least 30 Indian nationals, including NRIs, have secured Vanuatu citizenship, though the majority of applicants have been Chinese nationals.
A Program Under Scrutiny
Despite its benefits, Vanuatu’s golden passport initiative has come under global scrutiny due to concerns over misuse by criminal syndicates. Investigations, have revealed that many individuals securing Vanuatu passports have ties to offshore financial networks and questionable business dealings. Given its visa-free access to the EU and UK, the program has often been exploited as a gateway to bypass stricter immigration controls.
Lalit Modi’s latest move raises fresh concerns about legal loopholes and international efforts to track financial fugitives. With India continuing to pursue charges against him, the implications of his new citizenship remain to be seen.