Bhubaneswar, June 25 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday stated that an Indian passport cannot be considered proof of citizenship, stating that it primarily serves as a valid travel document for international journeys.

The clarification comes amid discussions surrounding the legal status and purpose of passports. According to the ministry, a passport is issued to facilitate secure foreign travel and help establish the holder's identity while abroad, but it does not by itself constitute a certificate of Indian citizenship.

The MEA stated that passports are issued based on various supporting documents submitted by applicants during the verification process. The document's primary role is to enable international travel a...