Border Management in India

About

• India currently has more than 15000 km of land borders. 
• It shares borders with seven countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. 

Border Management in India

• Border guarding obligation initially was with the state forces post-independence, however, the same was determined insufficient to address the challenges and threats. 
• Central armed police forces (CAPFs) were raised under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and were tasked to defend the borders under the control of the ministry. 
  • In case of active hostilities, the Army is given the duty to guard the borders. 

Need for Border Management

• India-Pakistan Border: Ongoing difficulty since 1947 with four wars fought (1947-48, 1965, 1971, and 1999).
  • Active Line of Control (LC) with both Army and BSF deployed.
• India-China Border: Disputed borders in Ladakh, Middle Sector, and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Limited development in resolving disputes despite multiple talks.
• India-Bangladesh Border: Relations range based on political adjustments.
  • External effects (Pakistan, China) pose threats to balance.
• India-Bhutan Border: India defends Bhutan, particularly in case of Chinese aggression (e.g., Doklam 2017).
• India-Nepal Border: Challenges include porous border management and Chinese infrastructure traits close to the border.
• India-Myanmar Border: Long border with Myanmar, connecting to China and Bangladesh.
  • Porous, with nearby communities living on both aspects.
  • Influx of refugees into India, particularly in Manipur.

Challenges In Managing the Borders

• Length and Diversity: India shares substantial borders with more than one nation, each with specific geographical features (mountains, rivers, plains), making monitoring and managing hard.
• Porosity of Borders: Many borders are porous, allowing unlawful crossings of people, goods, and contraband (tablets, guns), exacerbated by tough terrain like dense forests and rivers.
• Cross-Border Terrorism: Pakistan-based militant agencies make the most porous borders to infiltrate and carry out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, growing significant safety issues.
• Ethnic and Tribal Dynamics: Border areas are domestic to diverse ethnic and tribal communities with cross-border ties, requiring sensitive management of grievances and aspirations to prevent exploitation through outside forces.
• Dispute over Borders: India has unresolved border disputes, specially with China and Pakistan, leading to tensions and requiring strong vigilance and diplomacy.
• Infrastructure Development: Many border areas lack fundamental infrastructure (roads, verbal exchange, outposts), hindering powerful border management and surveillance efforts.
• Humanitarian Concerns: Borders with politically risky countries cause refugee influxes and humanitarian crises, requiring careful management to balance security with global obligations.

Way Ahead

• Border Roads Organisation (BRO): Constructed over 8,500 km of roads and more than 400 permanent bridges.
• Key Tunnels: Atal Tunnel, Sela Tunnel, and Shikun-La Tunnel (soon to be the sector’s highest tunnel) may be foremost milestones in border region development.

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