CONFIDENTIAL
5. The Government of India have generally kept a low profile over the issue, saying that the problem is one for the UK to resolve. However following the Secretary of State's meeting with the Indian President in April 1990 the
Indians told a press conference that the President had
expressed serious concern to the Secretary of State over the
future of Hong Kong residents of Indian origin who would be
left stateless after 1997. In fact the matter was not
mentioned. The subject may become a domestic issue in
Indian politics as 1997 approaches, but we judge that it
would be counter productive to ask the Indians to provide right of abode assurances to Indians in Hong Kong, (this
would simply draw unwelcome attention to our immigration policy towards the sub-continent). However the question of
dual citizenship for Indians abroad remains under
consideration by the GOI. If they choose to permit it this could help the Hong Kong Indians.
JH2AAX/2
CONFIDENTIAL