Q. What are the critical challenges faced by India in ensuring effective Border management? Elucidate strategies for robust border management. (Answer in 150 words)

07 Oct, 2022 GS III Daily Answer Writing 2022-23 ( Upgrade)
Modal Answer

With 15,000 kms of land border (17 states) and & 7,500 km of coastline (13 states), the Indian border management presents several security challenges in an uneasy, troubled and volatile neighbourhood.



Critical challenges to border management: 

  • Undemarcated, porous borders: across Nepal, Myanmar & China, leading to clashes, smuggling & illegal immigration.
  • Difficult & complex terrain: Desert, marshes, snow-capped mountain & dense forests makes border guarding difficult è “Paradise for anti-Indian elements”.
  • Hostile relations: Pakistan, China. State & Non state support for infiltration & extremism in J&K & north east.
  • Poor border infra + underdeveloped border areas: lack of roads and electricity along with low per capita income.
  • Ill-equipped border forces: inadequate hi-tech arms & equipments, terrain specific training, poor intelligence gathering mechanism etc.
  • Lack of coordination: Among Indian Army, CAPF, State police etc) è duplication of efforts & resource wastage
  • Unilateral action by countries for eg. Building of CPEC and other highways/road/rails by China near Indian borders.

Key Measures taken by the government

  • Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS): surveillance of Pakistan & Bangladesh border via advanced technology
  • Border Protection Grid: Set up in Indian states bordering Bangladesh.
  • Border Area Development Program & Vibrant Villages Programme
Implementation of Shekatkar Committee recommendations relating to border Infrastructure – for speeding up road constructions.

Strategies for robust border management: 

  1. Strengthening border Security forces & Surveillance:
  • Modernisation of Security forces: State of art and indigenously developed modern weapons. E.g. AK 203 rifles.
  • Intelligence & information sharing: Co-ordination among agencies (Customs, Immigration, Armed forces, Para-military forces, intelligence agencies, state police).
  • Upgraded surveillance infra: new age technologies like BOLD QIT, drones, night vision cameras, motions detectors
  • Cooperation & joint operations among agencies of neighbouring states eg. Operation Sunrise with Myanmar, and leveraging SCO, BIMSTEC, EAS, BCIM. 
  1. Socio Economic measures
  • Economic development of border areas: Fast track implementation of Shetkar Committee recommendations.
  • Regional integration with rest of the country – Establishing Physical & emotional connect – NE, J&K. Streamlining SoPs in consultation with all the stakeholders.
  • Trade points across border – to facilitate legitimate trade, and forge ‘dependency links’.
  • Youth engagement to target illegal migration, Drug abuse, trafficking, smuggling etc. 

Thus, a multipronged strategy centering on “Development-Diplomacy-Defense” is needed to achieve sustainable ‘peace and progress’ on borders, land & maritime alik.

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