Rohingya Refugees in India: A Cycle of Hardship and Legal Limbo
Thousands of Rohingya refugees in India are trapped in a precarious situation marked by economic hardship and legal uncertainty. The lack of formal refugee recognition prevents them from accessing employment, financial services, and basic protections, contributing to a broader regional failure to address the ongoing displacement of the Rohingya people.
The Rohingya Refugee Population in India
India is estimated to host around 40,000 Rohingya refugees who fled waves of violence and persecution in Myanmar [1]. Many reside in informal settlements near major urban centers, including New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Jammu, relying heavily on unstable informal labor for survival [1].
Barriers to Economic Integration
The absence of government-issued identity documents is a major obstacle for Rohingya refugees seeking to integrate into India’s formal economy [1]. Employers routinely reject job applications from individuals who cannot provide official identification [1]. Sohail Khan, a Rohingya refugee in New Delhi, exemplifies this struggle; despite studying psychology, he now operates a small handicraft stall due to repeated employment rejections [1].
Lack of Legal Framework and Documentation
India does not have a national refugee law and is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol [1]. Rohingya refugees primarily rely on identification cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, these cards often lack sufficient recognition within India’s employment and financial systems [1]. Amina Khatoon, a Rohingya mother who has lived in India for over a decade, reports that employers frequently demand national identification numbers like Aadhaar before offering work [1].
Precarious Informal Labor and Exploitation
Driven by the lack of formal employment opportunities, many Rohingya refugees are forced into the informal economy, taking on daily wage labor in sectors like construction, scrap collection, and street vending [1]. This situation exposes them to significant risks of labor exploitation, including wage theft. Mohd Zubair, a Rohingya laborer, has experienced instances where employers refused to pay wages upon discovering his lack of official documentation [1].
Financial Exclusion and Limited Access to Services
Without government-recognized identification, Rohingya refugees struggle to open bank accounts or utilize digital payment platforms, which are increasingly prevalent in India’s economy [1]. This financial exclusion forces families to rely on cash-based transactions, hindering their ability to save money, access credit, and build economic stability.
Fear of Detention and Deportation
Rohingya refugees in India live with the constant fear of detention or deportation [1]. Human rights organizations have documented cases of Rohingya individuals being detained despite possessing UNHCR-issued identification cards. This insecurity discourages long-term investment in education, businesses, and livelihoods, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
Regional Context and the Rohingya Crisis
The situation in India reflects a broader regional crisis. Since the 2017 Rohingya Exodus triggered by violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, over one million Rohingya refugees remain displaced across South and Southeast Asia, with the largest concentration in Bangladesh [1]. Despite international calls for accountability, conditions in Myanmar have not improved sufficiently to enable the safe and voluntary return of refugees [1].
Recent Reports of Deportations
Recent reports indicate that India has deported Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, despite the ongoing civil war and persecution there [2] and [3]. In August 2025, the BBC reported on allegations that Indian authorities deported 40 Rohingya refugees, who were then forced onto a boat and sent to Myanmar [2]. CNN reported similar accounts, detailing how refugees were flown to an island, placed on a naval vessel, and ultimately abandoned in the Andaman Sea [3]. Human Rights Watch has also documented scores of Rohingya refugees expelled to Bangladesh and Myanmar since May 2025 [4].
Advocates argue that host countries, regional organizations, and the international community must develop more comprehensive protection frameworks for Rohingya refugees, including legal status, access to livelihoods, and protection from arbitrary detention. Without such measures, stateless Rohingya communities will continue to face systemic marginalization across the region, deepening one of Asia’s most enduring humanitarian and human rights crises.