Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
What does this article provide?
The article discusses the recent summoning of Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner to India by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over border security measures, including fencing, amid rising tensions between the two countries. For Mains, this situation underscores the importance of understanding international relations, border management, and the intricacies of regional geopolitics.
Potential Topics for Prelims
Land Boundary Agreement, Operation BOLD-QIT, Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Assam Rifles, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Golden Triangle, Golden Crescent, Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, Integrated Check Posts, Border Area Development Programme, Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act (FCAA) of 2023, Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), RISAT
Potential Topics for Mains
India-Bangladesh Border Disputes, India’s Diplomatic Relations with Neighboring Countries, Challenges in Border Management in India, Govt. Initiatives for Border Management in India
Source
Indian Express
Construction of fence: India-Bangladesh border
Introduction
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently summoned the Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India to address critical concerns regarding border security measures, including the installation of fencing. This development comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the two nations. With the strategic importance of maintaining secure and well-managed borders, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges and diplomatic efforts required to manage India’s relationships with its neighboring countries.
Tensions Rise Over Border Security Between India and Bangladesh
- Bangladesh’s Summoning of Indian Envoy: Bangladesh called upon India’s High Commissioner in Dhaka to express serious concerns about the activities of the Border Security Force (BSF).
- Violation of 1975 Guidelines: Bangladesh cited alleged violations of the 1975 border agreement guidelines, specifically regarding the construction of border fences.
- Border Guard Bangladesh’s Actions: The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) attempted to halt the construction of a barbed wire fence in Malda, West Bengal.
- Bangladesh’s Concerns:
- Violation of 1975 Guidelines: Bangladesh asserted that fencing within 150 yards of the border violates the 1975 guidelines that forbid the development of structures with defense potential.
- Impact on Local Residents: The construction of fencing disrupted the lives of border residents by restricting their movement and economic activities.
- National Security Concerns: Bangladesh raised issues over “smart fencing” equipped with electronic surveillance, alleging it allowed India to monitor Bangladeshi territory.
- India’s Position:
- India reiterated that all border security measures, including fencing, comply with bilateral agreements and protocols established with Bangladesh.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that barbed wire fencing is not considered a “defense structure” but is intended for border security.
Chronology of the India-Bangladesh Border Issue
- 1975: Joint Guidelines Agreement: India and Bangladesh signed Joint Guidelines agreeing not to build defense structures within 150 yards of the international boundary.
- 1980s: Initiation of Barbed Wire Fencing: India started the erection of barbed wire fences along critical sections of the India-Bangladesh border to curb infiltration, smuggling, and illegal migration.
- 2015: Land Boundary Agreement (LBA):
- Resolution of Disputes: Settled long-standing enclave and territorial disputes between the two nations.
- Improved Demarcation: Allowed for better border delineation, facilitating additional fencing efforts.
- Constitutional Amendment: India enacted the 100th Constitutional Amendment to implement the agreement.
- 2019: Operation BOLD-QIT Launch:
- Deployment: Initiated in Assam’s Dhubri district under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS).
- Electronic Surveillance: Introduced electronic monitoring for riverine and porous border sections.
- 2023: Fencing Progress: As of 2023, approximately 81.5% of the 4,096.7 km border was fenced.
- Challenges: Issues like riverine areas, resistance from local communities, and pending land acquisition continued to hinder progress.
Overview of Border Management in India
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): Supervises policy and operational aspects of all border guarding forces.
- Key Departments:
- Department of Border Management: Focuses on infrastructure projects like roads, fencing, and floodlighting.
- Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Oversees initiatives for the socio-economic upliftment of border regions.
- Key Departments:
- Border Security Force (BSF): Oversees borders with Pakistan (3,323 km) and Bangladesh (4,096.7 km).
- Primary Functions:
- Prevent cross-border crimes such as smuggling, infiltration, and illegal migration.
- Conduct counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Maintain tranquility along international borders during peacetime.
- Special Features: Equipped with advanced surveillance technology, smart fencing, and floodlights.
- Primary Functions:
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): Protects the India-China border (3,488 km).
- Primary Functions:
- Conduct surveillance and uphold security along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Operate in high altitudes and challenging terrains.
- Assist in disaster management and internal security tasks when required.
- Primary Functions:
- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): Secures the borders with Nepal (1,751 km) and Bhutan (699 km).
- Primary Functions:
- Prevent cross-border crimes such as smuggling, illegal migration, and human trafficking.
- Collaborate with local law enforcement to maintain peace in border areas.
- Special Role: Acts as the first line of defense in the open-border system with Nepal.
- Primary Functions:
- Assam Rifles: Manages the India-Myanmar border (1,643 km).
- Primary Functions:
- Prevent smuggling, arms trafficking, and insurgency in the northeastern region
- Conduct counter-insurgency operations and assist in maintaining law and order.
- Support local administration in development initiatives.
- Primary Functions:
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Secures India’s coastline (7,516.6 km), including maritime borders with Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia.
- Primary Functions:
- Prevent illegal fishing, smuggling, and piracy.
- Conduct search and rescue missions.
- Protect marine biodiversity and enforce maritime laws.
- Primary Functions:
Significance of Border Management
- Ensuring National Security: Border management is essential for preventing cross-border terrorism and infiltration.
- India faces persistent threats from infiltrators along the India-Pakistan LoC, exemplified by the Pathankot (2016) and Uri (2016) attacks.
- Curbing Smuggling and Trafficking: Effective border management curtails illegal trade, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
- The porous India-Bangladesh border is a hotspot for cattle smuggling and narcotics trafficking, with significant economic and social consequences.
- India’s Northeastern Region (NER) has struggled with drug trafficking since the 1970s, primarily due to its proximity to the Golden Triangle.
- Controlling Illegal Migration: Unregulated borders lead to demographic changes and socio-economic stress in border states.
- The Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner of India in Assam published a final list declaring more than 19 lakh people living in Assam as illegal migrants.
- Preventing Insurgency and Arms Smuggling: Border management is crucial for combating insurgency in sensitive regions like the Northeast.
- The India-Myanmar border facilitates the movement of insurgent groups and the smuggling of arms and ammunition.
- Safeguarding Territorial Integrity: Managing disputed borders helps maintain sovereignty and prevent territorial violations.
- The India-China border (LAC) has experienced frequent incursions, such as the Galwan Valley clash (2020), necessitating robust border surveillance and management.
- Facilitating Trade and Development: Well-managed borders promote legitimate trade and cross-border cooperation, enhancing economic ties.
- Agreements like the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh improve trade connectivity while ensuring regulated movement.
| Area | Description |
| Golden Triangle | – A mountainous region in Southeast Asia located in northeastern Myanmar, northwestern Thailand, and northern Laos. – Was a major producer of opium and heroin from the 1950s until the early 2000s. |
| Golden Crescent | – A major global opium production area in Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. – Drugs are smuggled into India through Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. |
Government Initiatives for Border Management in India
- Infrastructure Development:
- Border Roads and Highways: Developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to enhance connectivity in remote border areas.
- Examples: Zojila Tunnel, Atal Tunnel, and all-weather roads in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Integrated Check Posts (ICPs): Modernized infrastructure at border crossings to facilitate trade and movement.
- Equipped with biometric scanners, CCTV surveillance, and X-ray baggage scanners.
- The first ICP along the India-Bhutan border was inaugurated at Darranga, Assam in November 2024.
- Border Fencing: Utilizes vibration sensors, laser walls, and physical fencing along critical borders like India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh.
- The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act (FCAA) of 2023 allows for the diversion of forest land for security-related projects within 100 km of India’s international borders.
- Border Roads and Highways: Developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to enhance connectivity in remote border areas.
- Border Area Development:
- Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Aims to develop infrastructure, health, and education facilities in border regions.
- Installation of solar-powered lighting and Wi-Fi hotspots for connectivity.
- Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP): Launched in 2023 for the comprehensive development of selected villages in northern border states like Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and UT of Ladakh.
- Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure: Construction of flood-resistant roads and buildings using advanced materials and designs.
- Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Aims to develop infrastructure, health, and education facilities in border regions.
- Advanced Surveillance and Monitoring Technology:
- Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS): A system that combines technology, manpower, and intelligence to enhance border security.
- Smart fencing with laser-based intrusion detection.
- BOLD-QIT: Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique.
- Launched in 2019 as part of the CIBMS.
- Objective: To strengthen surveillance in riverine and porous areas of the India-Bangladesh border.
- Implementation: Deployed in Assam’s Dhubri district along the Brahmaputra river basin.
- Features:
- Electronic surveillance systems, including radars, ground sensors, and thermal imagers.
- Integration of microwave communication and day-night cameras.
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Use of drones for aerial surveillance in rugged terrains.
- Example: Deployment of Heron drones along the India-China and India-Pakistan borders.
- Satellite-Based Surveillance: Utilization of RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite) and CARTOSAT for real-time imagery and border mapping.
- Night Vision and Infrared Technology: Deployment of thermal imaging cameras and infrared sensors to detect movement in low visibility conditions.
- Ground Penetrating Radars (GPRs): Used to detect tunnels and underground activities along sensitive border areas.
- Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS): A system that combines technology, manpower, and intelligence to enhance border security.
Challenges in Managing India’s Borders
- Geographic and Topographic Challenges:
- Varied Terrain: India’s borders encompass mountains, deserts, rivers, and forests, complicating surveillance and infrastructure efforts.
- Example: High-altitude Himalayan areas along the India-China border in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Porous Borders: Unfenced and permeable borders, particularly with Bangladesh (4,096 km) and Myanmar (1,643 km), facilitate illegal migration, smuggling, and infiltration.
- Climatic Extremes: Harsh weather conditions, such as the severe cold in Ladakh or intense monsoons in the Northeast, hinder operations.
- Varied Terrain: India’s borders encompass mountains, deserts, rivers, and forests, complicating surveillance and infrastructure efforts.
- Security Challenges:
- Cross-Border Terrorism: Persistent infiltration attempts by terrorist groups, especially along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Insurgency and Militancy: Border regions in the Northeast, such as Nagaland and Manipur, face insurgencies that exploit porous borders with Myanmar.
- Smuggling and Human Trafficking:
- India-Bangladesh: Smuggling of narcotics, arms, and cattle.
- India-Nepal and India-Myanmar: Rampant human trafficking and drug smuggling.
- Infrastructure and Technological Gaps:
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Underdeveloped border roads and facilities in remote areas delay troop movement and logistics.
- Example: On the India-China border, Indian roads end 60-80 km before the LAC, while Chinese infrastructure is much closer to the border, providing logistical advantages.
- Limited Technology Adoption: Many border areas lack modern surveillance systems, such as smart fences, drones, and thermal cameras, particularly along the India-Myanmar and India-Nepal borders.
- Digital Divide: Limited internet and communication networks in remote border regions impede real-time data sharing and coordination.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Underdeveloped border roads and facilities in remote areas delay troop movement and logistics.
- Political and Administrative Challenges:
- Federal Conflicts: Coordination issues between the Centre and states over border management, especially along state-controlled borders like India-Bangladesh.
- Border Disputes with Neighbors: Ongoing disputes with China (LAC) and Pakistan (LoC) complicate border management and lead to frequent skirmishes.
- Overlapping Jurisdictions: Multiple agencies, such as BSF, ITBP, Assam Rifles, and local police, often face coordination challenges.
- Socio-Economic Challenges:
- Local Community Involvement: Limited trust and cooperation from border communities due to socio-economic neglect and poor development in regions like Northeast India.
- Migration Issues: Illegal migration from Bangladesh and Myanmar creates demographic and resource pressures in border states like Assam and West Bengal.
- Financial Constraints:
- Budgetary Limitations: Insufficient funding for modernizing infrastructure and acquiring advanced technologies like UAVs and smart fences.
- Maintenance Costs: High costs for maintaining border roads, fencing, and surveillance equipment, especially in harsh terrains.
- Non-Traditional Security Threats:
- Cybersecurity: Threats of cyber-attacks targeting critical border management systems.
- Example: Concerns over cyber intrusions in sensitive areas along the India-China border.
- Climate Change: Melting glaciers, changing river courses, and extreme weather events disrupt border infrastructure and operations.
- Example: Shifting river boundaries along the India-Bangladesh border.
- Cybersecurity: Threats of cyber-attacks targeting critical border management systems.
Way Forward
- Infrastructure Development:
- All-Weather Roads, Tunnels, and Bridges: Accelerate the construction in remote border regions through initiatives like the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
- Integrated Check Posts (ICPs): Develop ICPs with advanced scanning and surveillance technologies to enhance trade facilitation and security.
- Technology Integration:
- Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS): Expand the CIBMS with smart fencing, thermal cameras, drones, and ground sensors for real-time monitoring.
- Satellite Imagery and AI Analytics: Utilize satellite images and AI-driven analytics to observe and assess border activities.
- Enhanced Coordination:
- Unified Command Centers: Establish command centers to streamline operations among multiple agencies such as BSF, ITBP, and local police.
- Joint Patrolling and Bilateral Agreements: Enhance collaboration with neighboring countries through joint patrols and agreements like the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP).
- Community Engagement:
- Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Strengthen the BADP to address the socio-economic needs of border communities, promoting cooperation and reducing vulnerabilities.
- Incentives for Local Populations: Offer incentives for local residents to assist in reporting suspicious activities.
- Capacity Building and Modernization:
- Advanced Training: Train border security forces in modern surveillance techniques, high-altitude operations, and counter-insurgency strategies.
- Modern Tools and Equipment: Provide forces with tools like GPS-enabled devices, encrypted communication systems, and night vision technology.
- Policy and Financial Support:
- Increased Funding: Allocate more resources for border management, focusing on infrastructure and technology advancements.
- Long-Term Policies: Develop policies addressing migration issues, cross-border disputes, and smuggling to ensure lasting security measures.
Conclusion
India’s border management strategy must strike a harmonious balance between security concerns and developmental goals. By doing so, it can effectively address cross-border threats while fostering economic growth and social upliftment in border regions. Such a balanced approach not only enhances bilateral relations with neighboring countries but also paves the way for sustainable peace and stability. Ensuring robust infrastructure, advanced technology, and community involvement will create a comprehensive and resilient border management system that meets both security and developmental needs.
Related PYQ
For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals. [UPSC CSE – 2020 Mains]
Practice Question
Discuss the challenges and implications of constructing a fence along the India-Bangladesh border. How can India address these challenges to enhance border security while maintaining good bilateral relations? [250 words]
Guidelines to Answer
- Introduction:
- Briefly introduce the India-Bangladesh border and the rationale behind constructing the fence.
- Challenges:
- Geographical and Topographical: Diverse terrain such as rivers, forests, and densely populated areas.
- Social and Economic Impact: Effects on local communities, disruption of livelihoods, and migration issues.
- Political and Diplomatic Concerns: Bilateral tensions, adherence to agreements like the 1975 guidelines.
- Technological and Infrastructural Gaps: Limited modern surveillance systems and difficult terrain for infrastructure development.
- Implications:
- Security: Reduction in illegal activities such as smuggling, infiltration, and human trafficking.
- Economic: Potential hindrance to trade and movement of people affecting local economies.
- Social: Impact on the daily lives of border residents and potential human rights issues.
- Measures to Address Challenges:
- Infrastructure Development: Enhanced roads, bridges, and all-weather access routes.
- Technological Integration: Use of smart fencing, drones, thermal cameras, and ground sensors.
- Bilateral Cooperation: Strengthening joint patrolling, information sharing, and maintaining dialogues with Bangladesh.
- Community Engagement: Involving local communities in border management and providing socio-economic development programs.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the importance of a balanced approach that ensures border security and fosters good relations with Bangladesh.