World leaders adopt declaration on refugees at UN

MJ Akbar said terrorism is principle cause of large-scale refugee movement and hypocrisy towards menace is unacceptable

The leaders from 193 countries came together to adopt the 'New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants' at the United Nations to save the lives of over 65 million refugees and migrants and share responsibility.

The declaration adopted on Monday is not legally binding but calls on the member countries to protect refugees' human rights, boost humanitarian aid and work on their resettlement.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the member states, saying: "Today's Summit represents a breakthrough in our collective efforts to address the challenges of human mobility."

UN General Assembly President Peter Thomson said that he would take forward the commitment of the membership to begin a process leading to a global compact on migration as well as to support a global compact on refugees.

In his address at the Summit, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar said terrorism is the principle cause of large-scale refugee movement and hypocrisy towards the menace is unacceptable.

He also voiced India's commitment to working with all partners beginning next year in developing a global compact to ensuring a safe and orderly migration that is in the interest of all.