High-level Meeting
‘Global Responsibility sharing through pathways for admission of Syrian refugees’

[Geneva, 30 March 2016]

Statement by H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to UN offices and Other International Organizations

Mr. Chairman, 

At the outset, I take this opportunity to thank the UN Secretary-General for giving a call to hold this High Level meeting as part of a progressive roadmap to address the Syrian refugee crisis, and also the High Commissioner for Refugees for organizing it. 

We convey our deep appreciation to countries, in particular Syria’s neighbours which have been hosting Syrian refugees, and those who have committed to admit them through various commitments.  

India has consistently supported voluntary admission of Syrian refugees, and also other processes such as the one being today that are aimed at providing durable solution to the Syrian refugee crisis.  

It is important that this meeting should reinforce States’ responsibility required to be shouldered in accordance with their international obligations in providing asylum and protection to the people in need.  It is also equally important to recommit to the core principle of non-refoulement. We share sentiments of the High Commissioner for Refugees in this regard, and hope that this meeting will further intensify the global efforts to provide safety and protection to Syrian people, who have been forced to move out of their homeland.  

While seeking pathways to admission of Syrian refugees, we need to be mindful of circumstances that led to the current state of affairs.

Mr. Chairman, 

India, like many other countries who spoke before me, is deeply concerned with continued violence, instability and unabated humanitarian crisis of the highest magnitude that we have witnessed since the Second World War. India has consistently supported a political settlement of this crisis including full implementation of Geneva Communique of 30 June 2012, which focussed on ceasefire and negotiations between all parties leading to formation of a transitional governing body followed by democratically held elections. We look forward to a successful outcome of the ongoing Intra-Syria Peace talks coordinated by the UNSG’s Special Envoy for Syria Mr. Staffan de Mistura.  

We are in full support for an UN-led process which has the potential to bring a durable solution and relief to the Syrian refugees.  

India enjoys a multi-dimensional relationship and deep cultural linkages with Syria, which I personally experienced in early eighties during my first diplomatic assignment. India also shares a long history of cooperation with Syria.

India has in the last few years provided a modest contribution of   US $ 4 million through UN’s humanitarian assistance programmes to Syria, and will continue to do so in the future also. 

While re-assuring India’s commitment to work for the return of peace & stability in Syria, and also its continued humanitarian assistance to people in need, we request the High Commissioner  to ensure that the interests of Syrian refugees are protected and the basic principles of Refugee Convention and Protocol are fully respected in countries of their destination. 

We are confident that this High Level meeting will assist in finding durable solutions to over 4.6 million Syrians, who have been forced across their borders.  

I thank you Mr. Chairman.

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