India’s Path to Protecting Refugees | 22 Jun 2024

World Refugee Day, observed on June 20, is a poignant reminder of the humanity behind these numbers. The world is home to over 43.4 million refugees, a number that continues to climb as conflicts persist globally.

In this scenario, India's approach to refugees has been shaped by its historical experiences, humanitarian considerations, and diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries. Since gaining independence in 1947, India has witnessed several waves of forced migration from its neighbouring nations, prompting the country to adopt a complex and evolving refugee policy.

India's refugee policy has been largely shaped by ad hoc responses to specific crises, rather than a comprehensive national legislation or framework. The country has relied on a combination of administrative policies, judicial pronouncements, and constitutional provisions to address the needs of various refugee groups.

Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive review of India’s refugee policy and a renewed focus on a strategic roadmap to become an efficient country in managing the refugee crisis.

What is Considered a Refugee Crisis In India?

• About:
  • Refugees are individuals who have fled their home countries due to severe threats to their life, physical safety, or freedom, requiring international protection.
  • These threats can stem from persecution, armed conflict, violence, or significant public unrest in their country of origin.
• Causes of India's Refugee Crisis:
  • Not A Signatory to 1951 Refugee Convention: In India, the term refugees is not legally defined, as the country is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol.
    • Since India has not adopted the international definitions and standards outlined in the Refugee Convention, there is no specific legal framework or definition of refugees under Indian law.
    • This absence makes it difficult to distinguish between economic migrants and genuine refugees seeking asylum.
  • Political Instability and Conflicts in Neighboring Countries: India shares borders with several countries that have experienced political turmoil, civil wars, and ethnic conflicts, leading to mass displacement of people.
    • For example, the partition of India in 1947, the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971, the Sri lankan civil war from 1983 to 2009, and the ongoing Rohingya crisis in Myanmar have resulted in a significant influx of refugees into India.
  • Ethnic, Religious Persecution and Humanitarian Considerations: India's commitment to humanitarian principles and its tradition of providing asylum to those fleeing persecution and conflict have also been a factor in accommodating refugees.
    • For instance, Tibetan Buddhists sought refuge in India after the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959.
  • Natural Disasters and Environmental Factors: Natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, and cyclones have also contributed to the displacement of people, leading them to seek refuge in India.
    • In 2015, Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake, forcing thousands of Nepalese to flee across the open border into India for safety and assistance. Many sought refuge in Indian states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Porous Borders and Lack of Comprehensive Refugee Policy: India's long and porous borders with neighbouring countries, coupled with the lack of a comprehensive refugee policy, have made it challenging to effectively manage and regulate the influx of refugees.
    • Over the years, economic migrants and refugees fleeing persecution in Bangladesh have crossed into India's northeastern states like Assam and West Bengal.

Why has India not Signed the 1951 Refugee Convention?

• Definition of Refugee is Discriminatory:
  • The 1951 Convention defines refugees as individuals who have been deprived of their civil and political rights, but not their economic rights.
  • India believes that this definition is too narrow, as it excludes those who have fled their countries due to economic deprivation or lack of livelihood opportunities.
  • Including violation of economic rights in the definition of a refugee could potentially place a significant burden on developed nations, which India may not be prepared to undertake.
• Eurocentrism:
  • India perceives the 1951 Refugee Convention as being largely Eurocentric focusing primarily on the concerns and situations prevalent in Europe at the time of its drafting.
  • The convention does not adequately address the specific challenges and contexts faced by south asian countries like India when it comes to refugee influxes and cross-border movements.
• Sovereignty and National Security Concerns:
  • By signing the convention, India fears that it may compromise its sovereignty and ability to regulate the entry and stay of foreign nationals within its territory.
  • Some concerns acceding to the convention could potentially affect India's domestic laws and policies related to national security and border control.
• Lack of Resources and Infrastructure:
  • India has cited its limited resources and inadequate infrastructure as reasons for not signing the convention, as it may struggle to provide the required level of assistance and protection to a large influx of refugees.
• Concerns Over Potential Misuse:
  • There are apprehensions that the provisions of the convention could be misused by economic migrants or individuals with ulterior motives, posing potential security risks.
  • There have been allegations of some Rohingya individuals having links to extremist organisations, during the Sri Lankan civil war, there were concerns that some LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) members might have entered India posing as refugees.

What Should be the Future Strategy to Tackle the Refugee Crisis In India?

• Upholding Non-refoulement:
  • Non-refoulement is a fundamental principle of international refugee law that prohibits states from returning asylum seekers to a country where they would face persecution and torture.
  • While India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, it has historically respected the principle of non-refoulement. This principle needs to be upheld beyond borders.
• Enhanced Diplomatic Engagement and International Cooperation:
  • India's Operation Insaniyat, providing aid to improve conditions for Rohingya in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, exemplifies this approach.
  • India has announced a development assistance of $25 million for Myanmar’s Rakhine State, from where thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled following incidents of violence against the community.
  • For example, India could expand its cooperation with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), similar to how it worked with them during the Tibetan refugee crisis in the 1960s.
• Balancing Security and Humanitarian Concerns:
  • In line with Supreme Court guidance, India must strike a delicate balance between national security interests and humanitarian obligations.
  • For example, considering the cultural ties between India and Myanmar, India could implement a temporary identification system for refugees.
    • This involves providing essential services like healthcare, food, and temporary shelter to Rohingya refugees while addressing security concerns.
• Women and Child Protection:
  • Implement specific programs for vulnerable groups. The UNHCR's "Safe from the Start" program in Ethiopia, focusing on preventing sexual and gender-based violence in refugee camps, is an example India could consider.
• Long-term Regional Strategy:
  • Work towards a regional strategy. The Comprehensive Plan of Action for Indochinese Refugees in the 1980s, involving multiple Southeast Asian countries, could serve as a template for a permanent solution to the refugee crisis.

The aforementioned strategies have reshaped the legal and social landscape for refugees in India, highlighting the complex interplay between humanitarian concerns, national security, and demographic considerations. Balancing its traditions of hospitality with evolving geopolitical realities remains a critical task for policymakers and society at large.