Recently, a Member of Parliament (MP) involved in a sexual abuse scandal fled to Germany using a diplomatic passport, highlighting the privileges and exemptions associated with this type of travel document.

What is Diplomatic Passport?

1. Maroon-coloured diplomatic passports are valid for up to 5 years and grant holders certain privileges and immunities in accordance with international law.
2. These privileges include immunity from arrest, detention, and certain legal proceedings in the host country.

Issuing Authority:

The Consular, Passport & Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issues diplomatic passports (Type D passports) to individuals falling under 5 broad categories:

1. Individuals with diplomatic status
2. Government-appointed individuals traveling abroad for official business
3. Officers of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) of the rank of Joint Secretary and above, serving in Branches A and B
4. Relatives and immediate family members of IFS and MEA officers
5. Select individuals authorized to undertake official travel on behalf of the government.
6. The MEA issues visa notes to government officials going abroad for official assignments or visits.

Revocation of Diplomatic Passports:

As per the Passport Act 1967, the passport authority, with the prior approval of the Central Government, can cancel a diplomatic passport or travel document in the following scenarios:

1. If the passport holder is found to have incorrect documents
2. If the passport has been obtained by giving false information
3. If the passport authority is informed that a court order has been issued to the person prohibiting him from leaving India or he has been summoned by the court
4. A diplomatic passport can also be revoked upon court orders during criminal proceedings against the passport holder.

Operational Visa Exemption Agreements:

1. India has operational visa exemption agreements for diplomatic passport holders with 34 countries, including Germany.
2. Under an agreement signed in 2011, holders of Indian diplomatic passports do not require a visa to visit Germany for stays up to 90 days.
3. Similar agreements exist with countries like France, Austria, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Iran, and Switzerland.
4. India also has agreements with 99 other countries where diplomatic passport holders, as well as those holding service and official passports, can avail visa-free travel for stays up to 90 days.

What is a visa?

1. Conditional authorization: A visa is an official document, often placed within a passport, giving a non-citizen permission to enter, stay in, or leave a specific country for a determined period.
2. Issued by the destination country: The country you want to visit issues the visa, usually through its embassies or consulates.
3. Not a guarantee of entry: While a visa shows that you meet pre-entry requirements, the final entry decision depends on the border authorities of the destination country.

Types of visas

1. Tourist/Visitor visas: For short-term travel, sightseeing, and leisure.
2. Business visas: For conducting business, meetings, and conferences.
3. Student visas: For studying at educational institutions.
4. Work visas: For taking up employment in a foreign country.
5. Transit visas: For short stops when passing through a country on route to another destination.

Why do visas exist?

1. Control immigration: Countries use visas to regulate and monitor who enters their borders.
2. Security screening: Visa applications help countries assess potential risks posed by applicants.
3. Protection of local jobs: Work visas ensure that employment opportunities are managed.

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