Evaluating the Indian Refugee Law Regime: How Has the Judiciary Responded to Refugee Claims in Light of International Law Obligations, and How Can It Do Better?

Abstract Since India has no established refugee regime, most developments in this sphere have arisen from judgments. However, the lack of relevant applicable law means that these developments are piecemeal and humanitarian at best, failing to make true advances in jurisprudence, and anti-refugee at worst. This article argues that through recourse to international law, these hurdles can be surmounted to ensure more robust protection to refugees. Further, it is argued that constitutional and international law obligations binding India mandate that the Indian judiciary refer to these international law instruments. Doing so would ensure significantly stronger protection for refugees and less deference to the executive’s ad hoc stance.