Professor Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of South Africa in India, said that the announcement of the Indian government’s extension for issuance of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card to the descendants up to the 7th generation demonstrates their goodwill towards the community in South Africa.

The announcement of the Government of India extending the registration facility for issuance of OCI card to the descendants of 5th, 6th and 7th generations comes on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi arriving in the country for the G20 Summit.

The card has been previously available to only the 4th generation of Indian origin immigrants who arrived in South Africa as migrants, indentured labourers and traders from India.

Sooklal explained that this decision has been in the works for a long time, and that it had been a key issue that he intended to highlight while working as the high commissioner.

“Now this OCI card was created by the Indian government to afford privileges to those Indians who basically left India, by and large under the indentured system during the British period.

“It’s quite different from Indians who have gone abroad to Europe, the USA and Australia, more for economic benefits, and they retain their Indian citizenship – they are referred to as non-resident Indians, but overseas citizens of India are not really regarded as residents or citizens of India, but they’re accorded certain privileges.

“South Africa is in this category among other countries that were indentured communities, like Mauritius, Trinidad, Suriname, and Fiji,” Sooklal said.

“Thus far, for South Africa, only the 4th generation Indians were allowed to be granted OCI if they so desired and applied. Whereas in the case of the other countries that I’ve mentioned, they have been given up to 7th generation (up to the 5th, 6th, and 7th generation).

“Prior to me leaving for my posting in October last year, many of the Indian community organisations had met with me and asked me to raise this, because they felt that South Africans were disadvantaged when compared to the provisions for the other countries.”

Sooklal said that since he arrived in India, he has remained vocal about the issue and that he had received news back in July that there would be an announcement coming before Modi’s arrival.

“Upon my arrival in India, I’ve raised it at various levels within government, with the political parties, as well as prominent civil society organisations that are focused on the Indian diaspora community.

“I think all of this eventually was taken note of by the Indian government and authorities, and around the middle of this year, around July, I was given assurances that by the time Modi goes to South Africa, there will be a revised policy, and South Africa will be given the same status as the other countries.”

He called this communication a welcome development for those South Africans who are keen to take advantage of this opportunity, as it provides certain privileges.

“For example, a holder of an OCI card doesn’t need a visa if visiting India; they can also purchase property and open bank accounts.

“I think those who still have families in India are very keen also to have this opportunity, including those who may no longer have contact with families,” Sooklal said.

“It provides them with this opportunity as well. So I think in the Indian community, it’s a welcome development.”

He added that this move places South Africa on par with the other countries that have sizable diaspora communities.

“If you look at the manner in which they’ve revised the provisions for the other countries, it always happened when Prime Minister Modi visited those countries. And I think this is the case in South Africa as well.

“So I think coming on the eve of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, demonstrates the goodwill that exists between the two countries and the strength of the relationship that we enjoy between our two countries.”

Those wishing to apply will be able to do so from December 1, 2025, at https://ociservices.gov.in/onlineOCI/ where they are expected to include all the relevant information as requested.

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

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