SECURITY CHALLENGES IN BORDER AREAS

Published on 04 Feb 2025

India has 15106 km of land border and a coastline of 7516 km including island territories. These border areas must be well managed to ensure national security and to protect the life of civilians. Apart from these, sound border management is key for India’s strategic autonomy. But there also exist certain challenges to effective management of these border areas.

Challenges to border management

• Lack of clarity on demarcation: India's borders with several neighbours lack clear definitions, creating disagreements over respective territories.  This has resulted in territorial claims and disputes between nations, disrupting peaceful border management.

• Example: LAC has not been demarcated due to lack of consensus on the same, leading to Chinese claims over the Aksai Chin region.

• Example: Pakistan has forcefully occupied Gilgit Baltistan and PoK with India still making a claim over them.

• Example: Nepal has claims over Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.

• Security threats in the border region: India’s western and eastern borders are vulnerable to security threats from both state and non-state actors which makes border management difficult.

• Example: Frequent security threats in the Indo Pakistan borders like the Pulwama attack (2019) and Uri attack (2016).

• Example: Chinese border claims has led to military clash in the Galwan valley in 2020

• Geographic conditions: The rugged, inhospital terrain on the eastern front and the snow-covered northwestern front imposes a geographic barrier for safeguarding the border areas.

• Example: The difficult terrain, extreme weather conditions, and high altitudes make surveillance operations challenging for the ITBP personnel in the Chinese border.

• Example: The riverine border with Bangladesh offers great difficulty for BSF to conduct frequent patrolling.

• Example: The border with Bhutan is heavily forested which prevents proper surveillance and has also raised environmental concerns in Bhutan

• Lack of sufficient infrastructure: The dearth of infrastructures like all weather roads and bridges has affected troop mobilization and quick response to casualties.

• Example: India’s border with Myanmar comprises many remote villages with limited infrastructure which affects mobility of troops.

• Example: Border with Bhutan also lacks sufficient infrastructure with roads often being blocked due to landslides and snowfalls.

• Illegal immigration: Porous border with neighbours has led to illegal immigration which raises security concerns for India and may also affect the local sentiments.

• Example: The migration of Tamils from Sri Lanka affected India’s relation with the neighbour which still affects effective cooperation on border management.

• Smuggling and trafficking: Smuggling of drugs and weapons has been frequent along Indian borders which aids in the growth of militant groups in the border regions.

• Example: Open border with Nepal and Bhutan has increased smuggling of drugs and counterfeit currency into India.

• Example: Porous border along Myanmar has increased the smuggling drugs and weapons that aided the growth of militant groups like ULFA.

• Trust deficit: Many border issues have been long standing and the occurrence of periodic insurgency has led to erosion of trust which hinders cooperative efforts for border management.

• Example: India's diplomatic ties with Pakistan post the Pulwama attack and with China after the Galwan Valley conflict have been strained due to a lack of trust.

• Lack of coordination among troops: The absence of a unified border management force has affected efficient border management.

• Example: India’s border with Pakistan on Jammu Kashmir is guarded by BSF while those with China on Ladakh is guarded by Indo Tibetan Police Force despite having similar geographic conditions.

• Limited penetration of technology: Incorporation of technology has been low with more focus given to manual surveying which increases workload and reduces efficiency.

• Example: Limited penetration of smart fencing and thermal imaging sensors on the northeastern borders.

• Water disputes: The presence of inter state rivers along the borders and lack of effective sharing mechanism hinders cooperative border management efforts.

• Example: Despite the signing of Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan has pointed out concerns regarding India’s Kishanganga project which affected diplomatic relations.

• Local sentiments and culture: The border regions occupy people who share a similar culture with those in the neighbourhood country. This may result in cultural sentiments to outpower national identity, thus hindering border management.

• Example: Local sentiments necessitate India to maintain an open border with Bhutan and Nepal which results in smuggling and infiltrations.

Government initiatives to improve border management

• Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System: To integrate human resource, weapons and high tech surveillance equipment to eventually replace manual patrolling.

• Example: BOLD-QIT project in the Bangladesh border for surveillance of the riverine border.

• Smart fencing: Use of thermal imaging devices and intrusion detection sensors for efficient border management

• Example: BSF has used smart fencing in the Indo Pakistan border for better surveillance and to prevent infiltrations.

• Border infrastructure development: Construction of all weather roads and bridges for rapid movement of troops and logistics.

• Example: Construction of Zoji La tunnel aims to provide year-round connectivity and improve accessibility.

• Example: Mahakali motorable bridge over the Mahakali River on the Nepal border.

• Integrated Check Posts: Aims at streamlining border procedures thus facilitating efficient trade, immigration and customs clearance.

• Example: The Attari-Wagah ICP on the India-Pakistan border is a prominent example of such a facility.

• International agreements: Agreements to address mutual border concerns have aided in better security management.

• Example: The Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh aided in resolving the enclaves issues and improved coordinated border management.

• Modernization of forces: The government has undertaken measures to modernize border security forces with advanced technology, weapons, and training to enhance their capabilities.

• Example: The modernization of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has improved its capacity to patrol and secure the challenging border regions with China.

• Strengthening maritime security: More emphasis on strengthening Indian Navy and Coast guard and conducting joint missions to ensure security on maritime front.

• Example: SLINEX, joint naval exercise with Sri Lanka, for ensuring maritime cooperation and security.

• Humanitarian assistance: The government also engages in humanitarian assistance and cross-border initiatives to foster goodwill and cooperation with neighboring countries.

• Example: Operation Maitri was launched by India for undertaking relief operations during the Nepal earthquake. 

• Efforts to bring local solidarity: Better relation between people across the borders to generate trust among locals which aids in border management.

• Example: Establishing border haats along Bangladesh border for trade between locals.

Way forward

• Settlement on border demarcation: There should be more clarity on the territories of each nation to address issues at the ground level.

• Border infrastructure: Investment in telecommunication and transportation networks to improve connectivity in the region.

• Frequent meeting: Holding bilateral meetings at the ministerial level and among defense personnel to have a cooperative approach towards border management.

• Incorporation of technology: Increase the coverage of thermal imagers and night vision devices to facilitate sound management.

• Improve quality of intelligence inputs: Better use of Synthetic aperture radar satellites to capture all weather inputs for effective management.

• Ensure better coordination among security forces: Since the issues faced across every border have some commonality this enhances the efficiency.

Though the government is taking efforts to prioritize border management, more could be done both from the side of the government and from citizens to ensure a safe border for India.

Role of community participation in border management

Border management in India is primarily the duty of various security forces. Alongside them the local community also has a crucial role in security management through better intelligence gathering, faster response to threat and improved trust between security agencies.

• Border Watch Committees: Committees involving community leaders and locals can monitor suspicious activities along the border and give information regarding illegal activities.

• Example: In the Jammu Kashmir region, border watch committees have been formed to report unusual activities.

• Border Area Development Programmes: Involving local communities into these projects could foster a sense of responsibility and ownership which enhance trust of community on government and security forces.

• Example: Community participation has been visible in India’s border development projects along the India Bangladesh border.

• Information sharing: Local knowledge like understanding of traditional routes can aid in improving the quality of security operations along the border.

• Example: Tribes of northeast providing better information regarding the terrain which helps the security police counter insurgencies in the region.

• Community policing: Training and empowering local community members to take up roles in community policing and vigilance can help bridge the gap between security forces and civilians. 

• Example: The Border Security Forces (BSF) in India have implemented community policing initiatives in some border regions.

• Generate cultural and economic ties: The similar cultural practices by locals of neighbouring nations can bring more solidarity and peace in the region.

• Example: Border haats along the India - Bangladesh border.

• Assistance during emergency: Local people are the immediate responders during an insurgency or calamity with their cooperation to reduce the associated casualties.

Thus, community participation in border management is instrumental in strengthening the security apparatus, building trust between security forces and local residents, and fostering cooperation in addressing shared challenges. 

Role of technology in strengthening India’s border security

India faces diverse challenges across the borders and has employed sound security agencies along various borders for ensuring security in the region. With national security being a priority and with the development of technology, India could very well use these technologies to improve the efficiency of border management.

• Remote Sensing and Satellite Imagery: Satellite images offer comprehensive and up-to-date information about border areas, including terrain, vegetation, and infrastructure which aids in strategic planning and monitoring.

• Example: Images captured by RISAT aids in border surveillance and planning.

• Border Surveillance Systems: Use of radars, cameras and sensors facilitate real time monitoring thus tracking illegal activities and intrusions.

• Example: Comprehensive Integrated Border Management system along Pakistan border.

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Drones: This could enhance aerial surveillance and the use of high-resolution camera aids in monitoring inaccessible areas.

• Example: NETRA is a UAV developed by DRDO which is used by BSF and ITPF for border management.

• Smart fencing: Smart fencing, equipped with intrusion detection sensors and alarms, helps detect and deter illegal border crossings. 

• Example: Smart fencing has been actively pursued by BSF at the Pakistan and Bangladesh border.

• Biometric Identification and Identity Verification: Fingerprint and iris scanning can be employed at border checkpoints for better verification of processes for travelers.

• Example: Biometric verification could be employed along Nepal and Bhutan borders as these are open borders.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics: AI enables security agencies to identify patterns, predict potential threats and make data driven decisions to strengthen border security.

• Example: AI could be employed in northeast borders where infiltration are on the higher side and physical monitoring is difficult.

• Deterrence and Psychological Impact: The visible presence of surveillance technologies at the borders acts as a deterrent to potential threats, dissuading illegal activities and infiltration attempts.

Thus, effective use of technology can reduce the manpower involved in border guards and enhance the quality of surveillance maintained at the borders.

Tags:
Security

Keywords:
Border management terrorism Transnational crimes Technology in Border management

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Internal Security