Answer: The given case study presents similarities to the ongoing crises in the wake of recent issues like political violence, terrorism, ethnic conflicts across countries that causes large scale displacement of people. It was witnessed during Syrian refugees’ exodus to Europe, Rohingya refugee crisis and the recent Afghan refugee crisis. The Global South had to bear the major part of the refugee burden, while the West shrugged off its moral and ethical responsibilities.
(a) In the present case, an influx of refugees is natural. However, there are issues with respect to legality of the same in addition to various moral issues that can be delineated as under: Moral Issues:

• Conflict between national interest and universal humanism: International norms and humanitarian impulse suggest that a country should accept refugees. On the other hand, national interests like security threats, demographic challenges of rehabilitation and resource competition raises key concerns for a country.
• Denial of human rights: Human dignity not being respected by the state even if they are a party to the UN conventions and customary laws as well as refusal to accommodate refugees points towards a global failure of states and the UN agencies to protect those facing potential threats of prosecution.
• Compassion: Forced displacement should not only be viewed only through an economic perspective but from the perspective of humanity.

In addition to the aforementioned moral issues, the present case also presents an unfortunate denial of commitments offered under the international law, in particular relating to humanitarian laws, human rights, genocides, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The UNHRC also identifies rights and guarantees relevant to the protection of persons from forced displacement and to their protection and assistance during displacement.
(b) As a Senior Official entrusted with the mandate to design a national policy to safely accommodate India bound refugees, I would categorize my policy recommendations in the light of their short-term and long-term impact and suggest the following policy recommendations: 1. Short-term measures:

• Temporary refuge: As part of the ongoing crises, I would recommend discussion with adjoining nations and call for efforts to be made to provide for their temporary settlement in adjoining countries. I would recommend countries bearing greater burden of refugees to come together as a regional bloc and influence affluent countries to contribute generously. This way, it would also be easy to repatriate refugees once the conditions normalize.
• Nodal Offices: Since there are issues related to the legality of routes adopted by inbound refugees, many would be under immense duress, I would recommend setting up an integrated asylum agency with nodal offices across neighboring regions to facilitate verification, and resettlement of the refugees in their nearest safe spots. The current system of fragmented border agencies is not only inefficient, expensive and cruel but also non- accountable and works only to pass the responsibility.
• Civil Society: NGOs and private sector could be roped in for humanitarian assistance for ensuring the basic needs like food, water, sanitation etc.

2. Long term measures: I would recommend setting up institutional mechanisms in cooperation with the international agencies to offer greater protection and assistance to people in their own countries so that they do not have to flee in the first place.

• Moral and diplomatic persuasion to stop persecution and promote reconciliation among stakeholders in various countries to avoid migration of people.
• Policy measures at global level: I would recommend stepping up diplomatic efforts to instill a multilateral asylum policy to facilitate equitable sharing of the burden of refugees.
• Policy measures at domestic level: Since there is an absence of a national refugee policy, I would recommend officials to give some serious thought to drafting its own refugee policy based on universal principles of dignity, fraternity and safety.
• Proper Data collection: The lack of reliable data in terms of the exact number of illegal immigrants, especially in India, is also a problem area that needs to be addressed urgently for better preparedness.

Global collective action to prevent violence induced forced migration and holding accountable those who commit them will be a crucial step in making the global system of refugee protection more adequate. Similarly, taking positive steps to come to the aid of those who have been driven from home will be essential to a more effective refugee regime.