Vanuatu Island

Former IPL chief Lalit Modi has applied to surrender his Indian passport and acquired Vanuatu citizenship, confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs.

• About: Vanuatu offers a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, allowing wealthy individuals to purchase citizenship.
• Advantages of Vanuatu Citizenship: Ranked 51st in the Henley Passport Index.
• Golden Passport" Program: Allows individuals to purchase Vanuatu citizenship through financial contributions.

o Stronger than Saudi Arabia (57), China (59), and Indonesia (64) & India ranks 80th.

• About Vanuatu Island: It is located in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands.

  o Capital: Port Vila, located on the island of Efate.

  o Geographic Features: Comprises 13 principal volcanic islands and many smaller islands.

  o Home to active volcanoes like Yasur, Manaro, and Garet.

  o Colonization: Originally inhabited by Melanesians, became a joint Anglo-French colony (New Hebrides). Achieved independence in 1980.

  o Climate Change Vulnerability: Faces rising sea levels at twice the global average.

  o Ranked as the most at-risk country globally under the UN’s World Risk Index.