New Delhi, July 14 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sought to clarify the legal purpose of an Indian passport, saying it is issued to "regulate the departure" of Indian citizens from the country under the Passports Act, 1967. The clarification comes as a political debate intensifies over whether a passport can be treated as definitive proof of citizenship, particularly in the context of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Addressing reporters on Tuesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the passport's legal basis remains unchanged and that it is issued only after an established verification process.

"An Indian passport is a document that, as per the Passports Act, 1967, is iss...