Rohingyas in India: Humanitarian Concerns and Strategic Dilemmas

Abstract

The Rohingya crisis, rooted in decades of persecution in Myanmar, has evolved into one of the most pressing humanitarian emergencies in South Asia. India, hosting an estimated 40,000 Rohingyas, faces the dual challenge of addressing critical human rights concerns while safeguarding national security and maintaining complex regional alliances. This article explores the precarious legal status and socio-economic conditions of Rohingyas in India, highlighting systemic denial of basic services, indefinite detention, and communal hostility. It further examines the strategic dilemmas India faces, including pressures from international law, regional diplomacy with Myanmar and Bangladesh, and domestic political narratives. Through legal analysis, field reports, and policy evaluation, the article argues for the formulation of a comprehensive refugee policy that balances humanitarian obligations with state security imperatives. Ultimately, the Rohingya crisis tests India’s constitutional values, democratic commitments, and its potential role as a global humanitarian leader.