Address by Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative of India to the UN and other International Organizations, Geneva at the 2nd Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva, 15 December 2023
Thank you Co-host for giving me the floor.
Mr. High Commissioner, Excellency Filipo Grandi
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Good Afternoon
Indian delegation thanks the Swiss Confederation for co-hosting Second Global Refugee Forum together with UNHCR and co-conveners, which provides member States a valuable opportunity to deliberate on global dimensions of refugee matters. 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 contributions made by the member States and Civil Society Organizations are also commendable.
Mr. High Commissioner, Co-host, Excellencies,
India has a civilizational tradition of hosting and providing protection to refugees. Historically, India has experienced, over several millennia, influx of refugees and displaced persons from around the world. Inspired by the ethos of Atithi Devo Bhava, the Guest is God, India has always welcomed communities facing persecution in foreign lands. Zoroastrians and Jews, when faced with persecution centuries ago, found a welcoming home in India. Both have been very much a part of India’s diverse and pluralist culture and heritage. In the recent past, we have hosted over 10 million refugees from Bangladesh before its birth as a free nation. We have hosted displaced persons from Afghanistan for decades.
Our Constitution, adopted 74 ye
ars 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.
Accordingly, India continues to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons, particularly those coming from our neighbourhood. Our unwavering support and assistance, for instance, to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, for decades, has been acknowledged as a global best practice. We have undertaken humanitarian and developmental work in the Rakhine State of Myanmar and cooperation with Bangladesh for facilitating rehabilitation of displaced Rohingyas. We have been hosting thousands of displaced persons from Myanmar.
India has also been assisting Palestinian refugees through partnering with UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). India continues to remain supportive of UNRWA’s role in delivery of humanitarian services to Palestinian people. We have provided humanitarian assistance to displaced Palestinian people due to ongoing conflict.
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.
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.
Let me conclude by reiterating our commitment to the welfare of refugees and displaced persons globally, including provision of humanitarian and developmental assistance. We wish 2nd GRF success in its endeavours.
Thank you Mr. High Commissioner.
