Statement by India at the General Debate of the 75th Session of UNHCR Executive Committee (ExCom) [14-18 October 2024] delivered by Mr. K.S. Mohammed Hussain, Counsellor & Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva

Thank You Mr. Chairperson,

1. The delegation of India thanks the High Commissionerfor Refugeesfor his opening statement.

2. At the outset, India would like to commend the exemplary contribution being made by the Office of UNHCR in dealing with global refugee issues. The affirmation of the Global Compact on Refugees as a voluntary, apolitical, non-prescriptive and cooperative action-oriented framework premised on national ownership was a milestone step in the right direction.

3. We request UNHCR to continue to help build, strengthen and use national capacities for protection and humanitarian action and increasingly work with local responders for ensuring localization of solutions and ownership of the process.

Mr. Chair,

4. Throughout history, India has welcomed refugees from all over the world despite our own developmental and security related challenges. Let me emphatically state that for some of the refugee communities in India, they would have lost their heritage, culture and even language but for India nurturing and protecting these communities under our pluralistic framework. We continue to host them, entirely, using our own resources. We are a key international development partner and through our sustained and growing efforts continue to make contributions to helping find long term and durable solutions to the refugee problem by addressing issues through building and strengthening the capacities of states. The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations undertaken by India are statements of capability as much as responsibility.
5. Our Constitution, adopted 74 years ago, guarantees to all persons, not merely citizens of India, the basic rights such as rights to life, personal liberty, equality before law and equal protection of laws.

6. While India remains committed to humanitarian assistance and protection of refugees, we believe that safe, speedy and sustainable return of displaced persons and refugees to their homes is the best long term solution to address refugee influxes.

7. As a host to refugees, we also commend other States currently hosting displaced persons in their territories. It is important for the world to recognize and understand the humanitarian responsibility that the host States, including India, continue to shoulder to ensure the well-being of refugees and displaced persons. We urge the international community to enhance its support to such States as well as Civil Society Organizations engaged in providing humanitarian assistance to refugees.

Mr. Chair,

8. We take this opportunity to renew India's commitment to the UNHCR in fulfilling its mandate and look forward to productive outcomes through constructive engagement during this 75th Session of the Executive Committee.

Thank you