United Nations: India has accused the UN Security Council of creating the refugee crisis by failing in its responsibility as it asked the international community not to close the borders for refugees and cautioned them against propagating racism and xenophobia.

"Saving lives, providing protection and upholding human dignity cannot but be the first priority. The need is to maintain open borders and not close them," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Bhagwant Bishnoi told the UN General Assembly here yesterday.