UN praises India asylum policy

Commending India’s asylum policy and humanitarian treatment of refugees, chief of UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) A. Mahiga here said: ‘‘In practice, the country had done well.’’ Reacting to news reports which quoted him that India’s present policy towards refugees was ‘‘chaotic’’ and ‘‘dictated by sectarian and political interests’’, Mahiga said: ‘‘The UNHCR could not have made such a statement that is in contradiction to India’s policies towards refugees and asylum seekers.’’

In a statement, he said: ‘‘The UNHCR has consistently, in its public statements and publications, credited the Indian Government on its long-standing humanitarian record in receiving and treating refugees.’’