TNAG-1390-FCO40-1862-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 56

BACKGROUND

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A.

1.

HONG KONG AGREEMENT

Sir W Harding is aware of the background.

B.

2.

THE AGREEMENT AND THE INDIAN COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG

There are some 6,000 BDTCs of Indian ethnic origin residing in

Hong Kong. The implications of the agreement for them have been

Council of taken up by Mr H N Harilela, President of the Hong Kong Indian

Associations who has written on several occasions to Ministers and

Mr.travela's MPs. Replies to this correspondence have stressed that there is no

question of any non-Chinese BDTC being left either stateless

home less as a result of the agreement.

hass! Generally

or

3. Our High Commission in New Delhi have told us that the Indian

press are taking an interest in the position of Indian residents in

Hong Kong under the agreement and has concluded that they will be

have also had We disadvantaged by it. This is not sor Ley engiing from the Indian Kigh Commission, which we

ame

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answered factually.

& We doubt whether Indian Government Ministers or Officials will

show any particular interest in Hong Kong BDTCs of Indian ethnic

origin. 4 The Indians do not recognise dual nation and under

voluntandy Indian nationality law any person who takes

person who takes out a passport of

another state is deemed to have forfeited any claim

have had to Indian nationality Tzenship. This

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that they may

apply to Indians

смо

have taher

BOTC

pampubs in

Ky king. ку

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