The Controversy Surrounding Lalit Modi’s Citizenship in Vanuatu

Lalit Modi, founder of the IPL, has faced significant controversies, leading to his relocation to London. Recently, he applied to surrender his Indian passport and acquired Vanuatu citizenship. However, Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, following an Interpol request from India, canceled Modi’s passport, underscoring the privileges associated with citizenship.

Lalit Modi, an impactful yet controversial figure in contemporary cricket, founded the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, revolutionizing the sport with its twenty-20 format. Despite this monumental contribution, Modi’s career was marred by controversies and allegations of fraud, leading him to relocate to London in 2010, where he has resided since.

As of 2025, reports suggest that Modi applied to surrender his Indian passport through London’s High Commission, having obtained citizenship from Vanuatu. The Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed this development, stating, “We continue to pursue the case against him as required under law.”

Vanuatu, a South Pacific nation consisting of around 80 islands, offers a citizenship program enabling wealthy individuals to acquire citizenship by investing. The process is streamlined, allowing individuals to obtain Vanuatu’s passport within a month without visiting the country, for a fee of approximately Rs. 1.3 crore. This makes Vanuatu an attractive tax haven, although the rise in such citizenship programs has raised concerns among security agencies regarding their potential exploitation.

However, following Modi’s citizenship acquisition, Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, announced the cancellation of his passport. The decision stemmed from a request for an Interpol alert by Indian authorities, which was initially rejected due to insufficient evidence. Napat emphasized that citizenship in Vanuatu is a privilege, not a right, requiring legitimate justifications from applicants.

The future for Lalit Modi remains uncertain, as he has relinquished his Indian citizenship and now faces the loss of his Vanuatu nationality, placing him in a precarious position.

In summary, Lalit Modi’s journey from a cricket revolutionizer to a figure facing legal challenges underscores the complications surrounding citizenship and privilege. His acquisition and subsequent loss of Vanuatu’s citizenship highlight urgent questions regarding the integrity of citizenship programs. Jotham Napat’s actions reflect the seriousness with which the Vanuatu government views citizenship rights and responsibilities amidst international scrutiny.

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