Patna: In a significant move for thousands of families living along the India-Nepal border, authorities of the two countries have agreed to address difficulties faced by women in obtaining citizenship and identity documents after cross-border marriages.
The decision was discussed at a meeting of the India-Nepal Coordination Committee, where officials agreed to improve coordination and simplify procedures related to citizenship and documentation. The initiative is expected to strengthen the long-standing social and family ties between communities on both sides of the border, often described as the traditional ‘roti-beti’ relationship.
Officials agreed that the process for eligible women married across the India-Nepal border would be made more simple, transparent and time-bound, subject to submission of valid documents and required evidence. Administrative officials from both countries will coordinate to facilitate the process.
Awareness camps being organised
Special camps are being organised in India’s border areas to inform residents about citizenship rules, eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.
Officials are also assisting applicants with the paperwork required to initiate the citizenship process.
On the Nepal side, the government has introduced updated arrangements for citizenship-related procedures, under which digital evidence can be used to support applications by Indian women married to Nepali citizens, officials said.
Documents required for Nepali citizenship
Jhapa Chief District Officer Shivram Gellal said during the meeting that applications from eligible women would be processed on priority once the required evidence and documents are submitted in accordance with the rules.
He said a foreign woman married to a Nepali citizen can apply for naturalised Nepali citizenship, subject to applicable legal requirements.
The documents required include:
- A valid marriage registration certificate
- The Nepali husband’s citizenship certificate
- Identity and residential documents
- The woman’s Indian identity card or passport
- Birth certificate
- Proof of renunciation of Indian citizenship
The process remains subject to verification and compliance with Nepal’s citizenship laws.
Families hope documentation hurdles will ease
Residents said cross-border marriages have historically created documentation-related difficulties for families, particularly when records contain errors or required documents are unavailable.
Firoz, a resident of Biratnagar, said families involved in India-Nepal cross-border marriages often had to face difficulties for years because of documentation problems.
“The new system has raised hopes that these long-standing issues will be resolved and that eligible applicants will be able to complete the process more easily,” he said.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Aniket Kumar said the coordination committee had held a positive discussion on correcting records of citizens of both countries and resolving citizenship-related cases.
“Once the necessary documents are corrected and completed, citizenship will be provided in accordance with the applicable rules,” Kumar said.
Officials said improved coordination between the two administrations could help resolve long-pending documentation and citizenship issues affecting families living in border areas.
