India, June 25 -- The Centre on Thursday clarified that an Indian passport has never been considered conclusive proof of citizenship under law, asserting that no new policy or decision has been introduced by the Narendra Modi government regarding the status of the document.

The clarification came after remarks by a senior Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official during Passport Seva Divas events reignited debate over what legally constitutes proof of Indian citizenship.

Government sources said the MEA had merely reiterated a long-standing legal position that a passport is primarily a travel document and not a citizenship certificate.

"It was not decided yesterday that a passport is not proof of citizenship. Nor was it decided in the...