The present article deals with the problems of refugees under international law. The purpose is two-fold – to understand the legal framework for the protection of refugees and to understand the manner in which the international legal framework is adopted by States in their domestic jurisdictions. The limitation of international law in addressing the refugee problem is highlighted through ‘contestations’ and ‘ fault-lines’. It is argued that such contestations and fault-lines exist in the manner in which conceptions like sovereignty, nationality, territoriality, jurisdiction, and legal obligation are clothed and implemented in the international legal discourse. The example of Rohingya refugee crisis from India is employed to contextualise the discussion. Some notable developments towards the construction of a more robust regime for refugee protection under international law have also been highlighted in the last section.