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VOL. 12, ISSUE 10 (2025)
Rohingya refugee crisis and India's balancing act between Vasudev Kutumbhakam and self-preservation
Authors
Suryansh Nigam
Abstract
The Rohingya refugee crisis stands as one of South Asia’s gravest
humanitarian challenges, marked by complex diplomatic, security, and ethical
dilemmas—particularly for India. This paper explores India’s multifaceted and
often contradictory response to the Rohingya influx, caught between its
civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam (“the world is one family”) and
the imperatives of national self-preservation. It critically examines India’s
policy trajectory through the lenses of refugee law, political discourse, and
international relations, highlighting how national security, demographic
anxieties, and political polarization have shaped the classification of
Rohingyas as “illegal immigrants,” despite UNHCR recognition. Drawing from
secondary research, legal texts, and media analysis, the study also traces the
evolution of Rohingya refugee networks in India—from grassroots translocal
efforts to emerging transnational ties—amid legal precarity and social
exclusion. The analysis reveals a selective and hierarchical refugee policy
framework reinforced by the Citizenship Amendment Act (2019) and upheld by a
securitized judicial stance. India’s approach is further influenced by its
geopolitical interests in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and China. Ultimately, the paper
argues that India’s handling of the crisis reflects a strategic tilt towards
realist nationalism, where humanitarian values are often subordinated to
sovereignty, domestic politics, and regional power dynamics.
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Pages:95-106
How to cite this article:
Suryansh Nigam "Rohingya refugee crisis and India's balancing act between Vasudev Kutumbhakam and self-preservation". International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, Vol 12, Issue 10, 2025, Pages 95-106
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