Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat Orders Cancellation Of Lalit Modi's Passport

Fugitive Lalit Modi, who had acquired Vanuatu citizenship to evade Indian authorities, has now had his citizenship revoked. Prime Minister Jotham Napat has reportedly ordered the cancellation of Modi's Vanuatu passport. Sources indicate that India's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Nita Bhushan, along with officials from other island nations, played a key role in this decision.

Indian agencies want Lalit Modi for allegedly embezzling crores of rupees during his tenure as IPL chief. He left India in 2010 and has since lived in London. On March 7, Modi applied to surrender his Indian passport, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the surrender request was received at the Indian High Commission in London and will be processed per existing regulations. He also affirmed that India will continue pursuing the case against him.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat directs the Citizenship Commission to cancel the Vanuatu passport issued to Lalit Modi. pic.twitter.com/Ogqgqv5JZj

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 10, 2025

Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, is situated between Australia and Fiji. Its capital is Port Vila, located on the island of Efate. The country, comprising 83 islands (65 of which are inhabited), has an economy driven by agriculture, tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Vanuatu also offers citizenship by investment, allowing foreigners to acquire citizenship for a set fee of approximately 1.5 million USD. The sale of passports remains a significant source of revenue for the Vanuatu government.