Lalit Modi’s Vanuatu Passport Cancelled Amid Extradition Concerns

Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, has ordered the cancellation of a passport issued to Lalit Modi, the fugitive former Indian Premier League (IPL) founder, just days after he acquired citizenship through the nation’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. The decision followed Modi’s application to surrender his Indian passport in London on March 7, a move Vanuatu now believes was intended to evade extradition to India, where he faces charges of money laundering, tax evasion, and violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

Modi, who fled India in 2010 amid probes into IPL financial irregularities, secured Vanuatu citizenship for an estimated $135,500 to $155,500 (Rs 1.18 crore to Rs 1.35 crore). The CBI program, offering passports in 30-60 days with visa-free access to over 120 countries and no residency requirement, appeared ideal for Modi, especially given Vanuatu’s lack of an extradition treaty with India. Initial background checks, including Interpol screenings, cleared him, but PM Napat reversed course after media reports highlighted Modi’s fugitive status. “Holding a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right,” Napat declared, citing evidence of Modi’s intent to dodge Indian justice.

India has pursued Modi’s extradition for over a decade, alleging he siphoned off crores during his IPL tenure. Despite Interpol rejecting India’s alert requests twice in the past 24 hours as of March 9—due to insufficient judicial evidence—diplomatic pressure, possibly via India’s High Commissioner in New Zealand, appears to have swayed Vanuatu. India’s Ministry of External Affairs continues its legal pursuit, with Modi’s passport surrender under scrutiny.

The cancellation leaves Modi’s status in limbo and spotlights Vanuatu’s “golden passport” scheme, criticized for enabling fugitives. While a diplomatic victory for India, Modi’s next move—whether challenging the decision or seeking another haven—remains uncertain.