Perspective Discover Public Health (2024) 21:153 | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-024-00295-7 3 Discussions and policy implications Myanmar refugees face limited humanitarian needs to meet basic needs, including essential healthcare, educational opportunities, and integration into the local economy, despite Mizoram State of India’s welcoming approach and substantial humanitarian support. Furthermore, local communities in the Indian state of Mizoram face challenges in resource allocation due to limited resources, an increasing refugee population as the conflict in Myanmar persists for over three years, and a lack of assistance from the central Indian government. Thus, the prolonged stay of Myanmar refugees has raised concerns about the sustainability of support despite the state government providing land for refugee camps and essential amenities. Therefore, the central government of India must recognise Myanmar refugees and facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs, as they have been vulnerable to existing conflicts and political dynamics in the borderlands over the last three years. By contrast, Manipur State continues to deport Myanmar refugees who have been arrested. This underlines the need for a more organised and long-term strategy to address refugees’ needs, including their rehabilitation and legal status. Many refugees are still facing prolonged detention of Myanmar refugees in Manipur jails. The Manipur government’s handling of the Myanmar refugee situation has been influenced by the ongoing conflict between the two communities since 2023 and the absence of a clear refugee policy. This complex situation highlights the Indian government’s need for a comprehensive discussion with the state government and applies a humane approach to address the challenges posed by Myanmar’s refugees in India. Mizoram and Manipur’s state response to the ongoing Myanmar refugee crisis reflects significant differences in policy and public sentiment shaped by historical ties and current sociopolitical dynamics. The contrasting responses of Mizoram and Manipur to Myanmar refugees highlight the complex interplay between history, ethnicity, and politics in shaping humanitarian policies. Mizoram’s welcoming approach stems from strong ethnic ties with the Chin people. In contrast, Manipur’s more restrictive stance reflects its complex ethnic dynamics, security concerns, and alignment with central government policies. These differences underscore how local contexts significantly influence refugee policies even within the same country. This situation demonstrates the challenges of implementing a uniform national refugee policy in India, where regional identities and histories play crucial roles in shaping public sentiment and government action. In particular, the absence of a consistent refugee policy and the lack of UNHCR protection have compounded the difficulties faced by Myanmar’s refugees in India. This deficiency impedes the efforts of United Nations agencies other international organizations to provide relief services, thereby exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in borderland refugee camps. Furthermore, the lack of a signature makes refugees more susceptible to the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, and hinders their access to healthcare and humanitarian relief services [26]. The findings highlight the pressing need for empirical studies addressing food security, healthcare, children’s education, and local integration among this refugee population. Such research is crucial for developing effective strategic plans that enable United Nations agencies, the global community, and local non-governmental organisations to advocate the Indian government to facilitate and provide humanitarian assistance. 4 Conclusion India’s response to the Myanmar refugee crisis following the 2021 military coup revealed a complex interplay of national policy, regional dynamics, and humanitarian challenges. The lack of a comprehensive national refugee law leaves Myanmar refugees in India without legal recognition, exposing them to various vulnerabilities. While Mizoram has adopted a welcoming stance towards refugees, driven by ethnic ties and humanitarian concerns, Manipur’s more restrictive approach aligns with the central government’s position. This disparity in state responses highlights the absence of a unified national strategy and it creates significant disparities in refugee treatment and access to aid. Refugees, particularly in restrictive states such as Manipur, face the risks of detention, inadequate healthcare, and potential forced return. This situation underscores the urgent need for a balanced national refugee policy that addresses security concerns while upholding humanitarian principles. It also emphasises the importance of considering regional contexts and ethnic ties when formulating effective and humane refugee policies. Author contributions The author conducted the following activities: literature review, study design and analysis. Vol:.(1234567890)