Exploring Possibility of Granting Indian Citizenship to Eelam Tamil Refugees: MP Kanimozhi

13-Mar-2026

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Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament Kanimozhi has stated that discussions are underway to examine whether Indian citizenship could be granted to Eelam Tamil refugees living in India if they so desire.

She explained that this possibility is being explored by incorporating the term “Sri Lankan Tamils” in addition to “Tamils of Indian origin” within the framework of the Sirima–Shastri Agreement.

President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, who was part of a delegation from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka that visited India last weekend at the invitation of the Indian Bar Association, also participated in several meetings during the visit.

A documentary titled “Faceless People: The Journey of Tamil Refugees in India”, directed by R.K. Radhakrishnan, was screened for Members of Parliament at the Nalanda Auditorium of the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

During the event, Sumanthiran urged India to take steps to grant citizenship to Eelam Tamil refugees who have lived in India for over three decades and wish to remain there. He also requested India to exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government to prevent the arrest of refugees who choose to return to Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the same event, MP Kanimozhi noted that under the Sirima–Shastri Agreement a specific number of Tamils of Indian origin residing in Sri Lanka were permitted to return to India and obtain citizenship.

Since that quota has not yet been fully met, she said authorities are exploring whether the term “Sri Lankan Tamils” could also be incorporated into the agreement, thereby creating a pathway for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in India to obtain citizenship.