India's Border and It’s Management | 21 Jun 2024

What is Border Management?

• Border management is a security function that aims to secure our frontiers and safeguard our nation from the risks involved in the movement of goods and people from India to other countries and vice versa.
• It includes regulation of legal and illegal immigration, ensuring safe and secure movement of authorized people and goods, and prevention of smuggling, human trafficking and infiltration.
• The principle of “One Border, One Border Guarding Force” is followed by the Government of India to secure the border. In line with this philosophy
  • The Bangladesh and Pakistan border is looked after by Border Security Force (BSF)
  • The China border is looked after by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
  • The Nepal and Bhutan border is looked after by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
  • The Myanmar border is looked after by Assam Rifles (AR).
• The Line of Control (LoC) on the Indo-Pakistan border and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the Indo-China border are protected by the Indian Army.
• Security of the coastal borders lies with the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, with the State (Marine) Police acting as the second line of defense

How Many Countries are Sharing Border with India?

• India shares borders with seven different countries namely Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Afghanistan.
• The border passes through all varied terrains namely deserts, fertile lands, swampy marshes, snow-covered peaks and tropical evergreen forests.
  • This kind of vast terrain makes us vulnerable to insurgency, illegal migration and smuggling.

How does India's Maritime Boundries Differentiated?

• Territorial Water:
  • It extends upto 12 nautical miles.
  • This zone is our sovereign territory and other countries have to take permission from India to enter this area.
• Contiguous Zone:
  • It extends up to 24 nautical miles and is a zone of hot pursuit i.e., in this zone, a state can chase and apprehend vessels violating its laws or regulations
  • Any infringement of customs, sanitary, immigration and fiscal regulations in the contiguous zone can also attract punishment from coastal states.
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):
  • It extends from the outer limit of the territorial sea up to 200 nautical miles.
  • This is the zone where coastal states hold the right to natural and economic resources such as minerals, oil exploration and fishing.
  • Ships of other countries can pass through this zone as long as they do not pose any threat to the coastal states.

What is the Role of the Department of Border Management?

• The Department of Border Management was formed under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in January 2004, following recommendations from the Group of Ministers (GoM) on border security.
• This department has been entrusted with the responsibility of all matters associated with land borders and coastal borders, with the exception of LoC in the Jammu and Kashmir sector.
• The roles and responsibilities of the Department of Border Management include fencing and floodlighting, surveillance and patrolling, security infrastructure development, intelligence report analysis, and development of Integrated check posts (ICPs).

What are the Challenges in Managing Indian Borders?

• Indo-Pak Border Challenges:
  • Varied Climatic Conditions: India-Pakistan border runs from the hot Thar desert in Rajasthan to the cold Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Infiltration: Political instability and crisis in Pakistan also lead to an upsurge in cross-border infiltration and threats due to terrorism.
  • Cross-Border Terrorism: It stands out as one of the major reasons for disaccord between India and Pakistan.
• Indo-China Border Challenges:
  • It remains disputed along its entire length and is one of the key points of friction between the two countries over the past years.
  • Chinese intrusions and face-off have become more frequent and threaten to lead to all-out conflict between the two Asian giants.
• Indo-Bangladesh Border Challenges:
  • Illegal immigration: Due to the porosity of the border, the primary challenge has been the influx of illegal immigrants in India.
  • Smuggling: A Major challenge with this part of the Indian border is the smuggling of arms, ammunition and drugs.
• Indo-Nepal Border Challenges:
  • Smuggling: Open borders lead to illegal activities such as smuggling of drugs, stolen vehicles and arms and ammunition into India.
  • Terrorism: Lately, anti-social elements and terrorist organizations are also using this open border for a least resistance passage into India.
• Indo-Myanmar Border Challenges:
  • Drug Trafficking: Insurgents are extensively involved in drug trafficking, especially in areas such as Moreh in Manipur and Golden Triangle covering Northern Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.
  • Insurgency: The open border and cross-ethnic ties among the tribal community help insurgents escape from the hands of the border security forces.
• Indo-Bhutan Border Challenges:
  • Smuggling: It is one of the major concerns along this border.

Way Forward

• Smart Identity Management: The use of biometrics (photographs, fingerprints, face, iris, etc.) for identification is one of the smart ways of identity management.
• Smart Inspection System: Non-invasive inspection techniques such as explosive vapor detectors, full-body scanners, metal detectors and handheld substance detectors can be used for the detection of concealed weapons, drugs, illicit radiological material, etc.
• Security and Surveillance System: Intrusion detection systems, watchtowers, surveillance cameras and laser curtains need to be deployed at border areas along the border fence.
• Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC): It includes information sharing and collaborative approach between neighboring countries for border security for issues such as human trafficking, arms or drugs smuggling, terrorist threats, etc.
• Development of Border Areas: The government initiated the Border Area Development Program (BADP) in 1987 to facilitate the provision of the required socio-economic infrastructure and adequate security. Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) was launched for comprehensive development of the select villages in 19 districts of abutting the northern border in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh.