New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and should not be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship. The clarification, made during the 14th Passport Seva Divas celebrations, has sparked widespread public debate and questions over what documents legally establish Indian citizenship.

The MEA explained that passports are issued only after extensive verification and scrutiny of documents from multiple government agencies. However, officials stressed that the passport's primary purpose is to facilitate international travel and establish the holder's identity abroad, rather than serve as a standalone legal proof of citizenship.

The clarification drew criticism from several public figures. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned whether such a statement could create doubts internationally about the credibility of Indian passports, while veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar described the clarification as "absurd" and asked whether passports could be issued without first confirming a person's Indian citizenship.

The issue also triggered widespread discussion on social media, with many users asking the government to clearly specify which documents constitute valid proof of Indian citizenship. The debate follows earlier clarifications that documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, and Voter ID establish identity but are not, by themselves, considered conclusive proof of citizenship under Indian law.