Answer By law4u team
India is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. However, India hosts a large number of refugees and generally follows many humanitarian principles of the Convention through administrative and judicial measures, despite having no specific domestic refugee law. Key Points: India has not signed the: 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, or 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees Reasons for non-signature: Concerns over national security Fear of increased burden on resources Desire to retain discretion in refugee matters without binding obligations Refugee groups hosted in India include: Tibetans Sri Lankan Tamils Afghans Rohingyas Chin and other refugees from Myanmar Protection is given through: Ad-hoc executive decisions Judicial interventions (especially by High Courts and the Supreme Court under Article 21 of the Constitution – Right to Life) Coordination with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), especially for non-neighboring countries UNHCR in India: Operates out of New Delhi Registers and issues refugee cards for certain groups Coordinates voluntary repatriation, resettlement, or local integration Conclusion: India is not legally bound by the Refugee Convention, but it has maintained a humanitarian approach and provides shelter and basic rights to many refugees through executive policies and judicial safeguards, especially under the constitutional guarantee of Right to Life and Dignity.
