Information on whether a UNHCR recognized Afghan refugee in India would be refused re-admission to India could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. According to the Travel Information Manual, however, alien residents of India who wish to return to India can obtain permits before leaving the country (July 1996, 117). The source states that these permits "are issued by the consulate of India abroad" and that "prior authorization has to be arranged before departure from India" (ibid., 176). The Passport Act of 1967 states that alien residents cannot depart from India without travel papers (Goodwin-Gill 1978, 30).

According to the 1993 World Refugee Report, "UNHCR has no formal status in India and it is usually permitted to deal only with nationals from countries not bordering India" (1993, 187). The same source states that the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) "maintains a regional delegation in New Delhi and assists qualified refugees with travel documents" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Goodwin-Gill, Guy. 1978. International Law and the Movement of Persons Between States. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

International Aviation and Transportation Association (IATA). July 1996. Travel Information Manual.

World Refugee Report. 1993. Washington, DC: Bureau for Refugee Programs Department of State.