Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal

Role of India & Alternative Resolutions

Rai, Yub Raj

Graduate School of International Studies

Ajou University

Supervised

by

Dr. Ian Watson

Professor -GSIS

Graduate School of International Studies

Table of Contents

Introduction

Research Question

Realism, Globalisation and Interdependence

Theories

Nepal India Relation

Role of India in Bhutanese Refugees’ Crisis

Analysis

Recommendations and Conclusion

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Introduction

The subject of my paper is Bhutanese refugees in Nepal.

Refugees issue is a problem for world as a whole.

Globalisation gave rise to trend of migration along with that the

rise of number of refugees.

States adhering to conventional international relations cannot

solve this problems.

New options to foster international relations and hence enhance

the problem solving area should be sought.

Provision of hopes for the thousands who are lingering in the

ghettos

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Research Question Method and Limitations:

What role is India playing in

resolution of Bhutanese

Refugees Crisis?

What role should India play to

enhance the resolution of

problem?

What are the alternatives for

Bhutanese refugees?

Most data and information in this

paper are collected from

secondary resources of different

books, articles, papers and

journals which also includes

different websites. Some of the

information are obtained through

the help of my friends back in

Nepal.

However there are limitations

which are due to lack of system of

keeping the data in Nepal, previous

researches on the subject and

financial constraints.

Introduction

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Refugees

Owing to a well-founded fear of being

persecuted for reasons of race, religion,

nationality, membership of a particular

social group, or political opinion, is

outside the country of his nationality, and

is unable to or, owing to such fear, is

unwilling to avail himself of the protection

of that country.. Article 1, The 1951 Convention

Relating to the Status of Refugees

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Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal

India

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More than 1, 00, 000 Bhutanese refugees

in seven camps of eastern Nepal Since

1991

Living in the shanty camp-house under

the supervision of UNHCR

Repatriation Process failed.

Demography

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By Age

Bellow 5

17-6

18-59

Above 60

By Religion

Hindu

Buddhist

Kirat

Other

Realism, Globalisation & Interdependence

Realism:

Statism and Power

Human nature

No space for Non-State actors like

International Organisations, MNCs,

and NGOs.

The imaginary

lines of border

separates the

states.

MNCs

IOs

NGOs

No roles for Non State

actors

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Globalisation

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Interconnectedness

Flow of goods and peoples beyond

the border easier.

Migration and refugees influx

Japan

Turkey

Brazil

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Interdependence

Interdependence involves everyone from lower

to higher strata in every society. Every one is

dependent on one another in every way.

Simple explanation of

interdependence

Each and every state are connected in one

or other ways

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Nepal India Relations

Historical

Geographical

Cultural and Religious

Economic

Interdependence Relations

Behaviour of India towards Nepal

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Role of India In Bhutanese Refugees

Idle Role

Disadvantage for Bhutanese refugees inNepal

Advantage for Bhutan

Interests in Bhutan’s Hydropower

Bhutan willing to accept most of

the Indian proposals.

Shows good relation with Nepal and acts in

opposite manner.

Could be a decisive factor, but won’t listen

to Nepal’s and International appeal from

unofficial channels.

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Analysis

Unbalanced Policy willMake Unbalanced

Region

Balanced policy willBring harmony to the

region

Failure of Bilateral talks to solve the problem due to rigidness of Bhutan

India stays idle, but the age old policy based on realism should be revised

By India to give new approach towards its neighbouring countries.

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Analysis

India should realise the importance of

interdependence in the age of globalisation and

come forward to participate in solution of problem in

the region.

If India wants stability in the SAARC then it should

take part in the problem solving steps. It is widely

known fact that if India comes out with balanced

policy towards all the country around it the problem

will be solved in no time.

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Role of India Alternatives

India should be positive

and come out to take

part in resolution of the

ongoing Bhutanese

refugees Crisis.

India’s involvement

would solve the

problem in no time.

Resettlement

Mobilisation of Civil

Society in Bhutan

Assimilation,

Integration and

Naturalisation in Nepal

Recommendations

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Conclusion

Bhutanese refugees are not able to be repatriated due to Bhutan’s policy of

ethnic cleansing.

India is unable to give sympathy to the refugees by rejecting the offer to take

part in resolution of the problem.

India should not be adamant in bringing in the new policies to foster the

harmony in the region and make a commitment to bring change in the region

as a whole, at the time of rapid globalisation and the webbed chain of complex

interdependence.

If India tries the problem will be solved.

Some alternative resolutions should be considered in the mean time.

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Q & A18

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1,500,000 persons who fled the Russian Revolution of 1917

As of January 1, 2006 there are 20,751,900 refugees in the world. Asia – 8,603,600 Africa – 5,169,300 Europe – 3,666,700 Latin America and Caribbean – 2,513,000 North America – 716,800 Oceania –82,500

Palestinian refugees Following the 1948 proclamation of the State of Israel, 711,000, As of December 2005, the World Refugee Survey of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Palestinian refugees to be 2,966,100.

Following its formation in 1948 ,Israel , approximately 700,000 refugees flooded into the country,

After the dissolution of the USSR, a second surge of 700,000 Russian Jews fled to Israel between 1990 and 1995.

As of December 31, 2005, the largest source countries of refugees are Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Palestinian

The Balkan Wars of 1912–1913 caused 800,000 people to leave their homes

Before that the religious regions were the main reason for displacement of ppl. Westphalia system gave rise to nationalism.

WWII gave rise to some five million German civilians from the German as refugees. So the formation of UN body for refugees.