By Sakshi Sah
Published Mar 10, 2025

Hindustan Times
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Vanuatu: 5 facts about the island nation that cancelled Lalit Modi’s passport

Fugitive businessman Lalit Modi has applied to surrender his Indian passport at the Indian High Commission in London.

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Lalit Modi has been in London since 2010 after leaving India.

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Modi was believed to have acquired citizenship of Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation known for its Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programme.

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Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, has ordered the cancellation of Lalit Modi’s passport.

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Vanuatu is a small island country in the South Pacific Ocean, made up of 83 islands. Only 65 of these are inhabited.

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Vanuatu lies east of Australia and the north of New Zealand, or midway between Australia and Fiji.

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With Port Vila as its capital and largest city, the country recognises Bislama as the national language, alongside English and French as official languages.

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The economy is based on agriculture, tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Kava exports play a major role.

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Vanuatu does not have income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or exchange control. VAT, tourism, and exports contribute to its income.

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