Dalvoy Logo
Dalvoy
UPPSC MainsGeneral Studies Paper IInternational RelationsPractice question

Rohingya Refugee Crisis in South Asia

Throw light on Rohingya refugees in South Asia.

Throw light on~250 words2 min readmedium
Attempt it first, timed · optional

Write the answer on paper, as in the exam. Start the timer, keep to the word target.

00:00/ 11 min · 250 words

Done writing? Photograph the sheet and see how it scores against this model answer, with feedback on what to fix.

Upload your answer sheet

How to approach

Introduce the Rohingya crisis with geographical origins and current displacement figures in South Asia. Detail regional and geopolitical dimensions including socio-economic and security impacts, followed by India's legal position and specific administrative/security concerns (including Uttar Pradesh). Conclude with a balanced way forward addressing humanitarian concerns and security imperatives.

Model answer

268 words

Introduction

The Rohingyas are an ethnic minority from Myanmar's Rakhine State. Systemic persecution and violence have triggered South Asia's largest contemporary refugee crisis, with the UNHCR reporting over 1.1 million refugees in Bangladesh and approximately 40,000 residing in India.

Regional and Geopolitical Dimensions in South Asia

  • Socio-Economic Burden: Severe resource, infrastructural, and demographic strain on host nations, notably Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar region, leading to domestic socio-economic frictions.
  • Security and Radicalisation Concerns: Heightened vulnerability of vulnerable camps to human trafficking networks, transnational crimes, and potential radicalisation by groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).
  • Diplomatic Stagnation: Absence of a coordinated ASEAN-SAARC consensus or an effective bilateral framework between Bangladesh and Myanmar for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation.

Status in India and Sub-National Impact

  • Legal Classification: India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol; consequently, undocumented refugees are legally classified and regulated as illegal immigrants under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
  • Regional Dispersion (Uttar Pradesh Context): Undocumented Rohingya populations reside across several urban fringes and settlements in western Uttar Pradesh districts, including Mathura (such as Nai Basti), Aligarh, Meerut, and Saharanpur.
  • Internal Security and Administrative Measures: The UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and regional enforcement agencies conduct regular verification drives and targeted crackdowns to deter illegal influx, curb the procurement of fraudulent identity documents (such as Aadhaar), and address local security issues.

Conclusion

Addressing the crisis requires a calibrated balance between humanitarian assistance and national security imperatives. India can utilize its 'Neighbourhood First' approach and development diplomacy—such as the Rakhine State Development Programme—to encourage conditions conducive to sustainable repatriation while maintaining stringent domestic border surveillance.

Key facts to remember

definition
Rohingya

A predominantly Muslim stateless ethnic minority residing primarily in Myanmar's Rakhine State who were stripped of citizenship rights under Myanmar's 1982 Citizenship Law.

statistic

Over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees reside in Bangladesh and approximately 40,000 in India following mass displacement from Myanmar.

— UNHCR
scheme
Rakhine State Development Programme (RSDP)

A bilateral initiative launched by the Government of India in 2017 to provide socio-economic infrastructure (including housing and education facilities) in Rakhine State to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced persons.

Frequently asked questions

What is the legal status of Rohingya refugees in India?

Because India is not a party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and lacks a dedicated domestic refugee law, all undocumented entrants, including Rohingyas, are treated as illegal migrants under the Foreigners Act, 1946.

← All questions on this topic (3)