India has strongly dismissed claims made by a United Nations expert who suggested that refugees from Myanmar were facing “intense pressure” in the country following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Indian officials called the remarks “baseless, biased, and narrow-minded.”

Member of Parliament Dilip Saikia, speaking on behalf of India at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, criticised the comments made by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews.

“I express serious objection to the baseless and biased observations in the report regarding my country. I strongly denounce the biased approach adopted by the Special Rapporteur of the innocent civilian victims of the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam through a biased communal lens,” Saikia said.

In his report, Andrews stated that refugees from Myanmar were facing pressure in India after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, even though no one from Myanmar was linked to the incident.

The report said: “Refugees in India told the Special Rapporteur that they have been summoned, detained, interrogated, and threatened with deportation by Indian authorities in recent months.”

Saikia rejected these claims, calling them unfounded.

He said the Special Rapporteur relied on unverified media reports, adding, “I would urge the SR not to depend upon unverified and skewed media reports whose sole purpose appears to be maligning my country where people of all faiths live, including more than 200 million Muslims, which is about 10 per cent of the world’s Muslim population.”

India reaffirms support for peace in Myanmar

Saikia reiterated India’s support for a Myanmar-led peace process. He stressed the need for:

  • Ending violence

  • Starting inclusive political dialogue

  • Releasing political prisoners

  • Holding credible democratic elections

He also highlighted India’s humanitarian support in times of crisis, mentioning Operation Brahma after the March 2025 earthquake and other relief efforts in natural disasters.

The report also noted instances where Rohingya refugees were detained or deported to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Bangladesh. Andrews has asked India for more information and is currently awaiting a response.