NEW DELHI, MAY 7 — Rajya Sabha Member Satnam Singh Sandhu has submitted a formal memorandum to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), calling for an expedited process for passport renewals and documentation for Indian nationals in Spain. The appeal specifically addresses the grievances of the Indian diaspora in Madrid and Barcelona, who are reportedly struggling with severe delays in obtaining essential consular services.
The Member of Parliament, who also serves on the Standing Committee on External Affairs, stated that he received numerous representations from Sikh Gurdwara committees and various community organizations across Spain. He maintained that many Indian nationals are currently grappling with expired or lost passports and pending Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs). These delays have created significant hurdles for individuals attempting to formalize their legal status under Spain’s current immigration regularization window.
“The situation has caused serious anxiety and uncertainty among affected individuals and their families who are otherwise willing to comply with legal requirements,” MP Sandhu stated. He affirmed that the lack of valid documentation has not only disrupted the ability of many to travel to India for family emergencies but has also restricted their access to essential services like healthcare and continued employment.
To address these concerns, the MP has requested that the Ministry facilitate urgent renewal services and organize special consular outreach camps. He stated that timely intervention is vital to prevent legal complications for the diaspora. Community leaders in Europe have affirmed that while coordination has improved following the MP’s involvement, a further acceleration of the document issuance process is still required to meet the deadline of the Spanish immigration process.
