Singapore: India today (July 10, 2004) said it was considering the issue of granting dual passports to NRIs as well as providing them with voting rights.

"We are in the process of looking at the issue of dual passports for Non-Resident Indians. I think we will be able to do something in this matter," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said interacting with participants at the concluding session of a high-powered NRI summit here through video conferencing.

Patil assured the NRIs that the new Government was sympathetic to their concerns and would look at lending them all kind of assistance, including providing an easy and simplified atmosphere for making investments in the country.

On the issue of granting voting rights to NRIs, he said the Congress-led UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government would carry forward the momentum initiated by the previous Governments. "This matter has been considered by previous governments and will also have the attention of the present Government.

"A final decision will be announced once it is deliberated and taken," Patil said. The Home Minister was responding to queries from participants, mostly NRIs, at the Asia-Pacific Business Meet organised by the Indian Merchants Chamber at Singapore.