The High Commission of India has announced that registration for Indian-origin Malaysian nationals as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) will now be extended up to the sixth generation of descendants of Persons of Indian Origin.
In a statement released last light, the High Commission said that the procedures used to establish “Indian Origin” have been further revised for Malaysian applicants. The move is part of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Malaysia while promoting academic and cultural cooperation between the two nations.
Last July, it was reported that India was working to simplify the OCI application process for Malaysian Indians, as many applicants faced challenges in providing proof of ancestry due to lost or unavailable historical documents.
“We have tried to get our government to agree that documents issued by the Malaysian government or former Malaya authorities can be accepted. If a document identifies India as the country of origin, we can issue the OCI card,” said High Commissioner B.N. Reddy.
The new revision allows a broader range of supporting documentation, offering relief to many Malaysian Indians who have long sought recognition of their heritage under the OCI program.
Support for Education and Culture Strengthened
In a related announcement, the High Commission revealed that the Indian Scholarship and Trust Fund (ISTF) will receive an additional RM3 Million in funding.
“The ISTF provides annual one-time financial support to students from financially weaker families of the Malaysian Indian community,” the High Commission said, reaffirming India’s commitment to empowering the diaspora through education.
Additionally, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has officially established its inaugural Thiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies at Universiti Malaya (UM)
“In pursuance of the decision to establish the Thiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies at Universiti Malaya, A Chellaperumal joined UM as ICCR’s inaugural Thiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies earlier this month”, the statement added.
A Strengthened Bilateral Commitment
The announcements came shortly after the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit held on 26th October, which was attended virtually by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Together, these measures from the expanded OCI eligibility to educational and cultural collaborations, highlight India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen it’s connection with the Malaysian Indian community and deepen bilateral ties rooted in shared history, education, and culture.
Sources: FMT
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