Context:
Recently, embroiled in a sex abuse case, one of the Indian political Party’s Member of Parliament (MP) fled to Germany on a diplomatic passport.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Diplomatic Passport Overview
- Appearance and Validity:
- Maroon cover.
- Valid for five years or less.
- Privileges and Immunities:
- Holders entitled to privileges and immunities under international law.
- Includes immunity from arrest, detention, and certain legal proceedings in host country.
Issuing Authority
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Consular, Passport & Visa Division
- Issues diplomatic passports (‘Type D’ passports) to individuals falling into five categories:
- Diplomatic status holders.
- Government-appointed individuals for official business.
- Officers of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) branches A and B, typically Joint Secretary rank and above.
- Relatives and immediate family of IFS and MEA officers.
- Select individuals authorized for official government travel.
Revocation of Passport
- Passport Act 1967 governs revocation.
- Passport authority may cancel passport with Central government approval.
- Grounds for revocation include wrongful possession, suppression of information, court orders prohibiting departure from India, or criminal court proceedings.
Operational Visa Exemption Agreement
India’s Agreements:
- Operational visa exemption agreements for diplomatic passport holders with 34 countries, including Germany.
- Reciprocal deal with Germany since 2011 exempts Indian diplomatic passport holders from visa requirement for stays up to 90 days.
Similar Agreements:
- India has similar agreements with countries like France, Austria, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Iran, and Switzerland.
- Additionally, agreements with 99 other countries provide visa exemption for stays up to 90 days for diplomatic, service, and official passport holders.
-Source: Indian Express
