The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently summoned the Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner to India, over “security measures at the border, including on fencing”.

Recent Incident

• Bangladesh summoned India’s High Commissioner in Dhaka to express “deep concern” over the activities of the Border Security Force (BSF).
  • Alleged violations of the 1975 guidelines were cited, particularly regarding the construction of fences.
  • The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) attempted to obstruct the construction of a barbed wire fence in Malda, West Bengal.
• Bangladesh’s Objections:
  • Violation of 1975 Guidelines: Bangladesh argued that the fencing within 150 yards of the border breached the guidelines prohibiting the development of structures with defense potential.
  • Impact on Local Residents: Fencing disrupted the lives of border residents by limiting their movement and economic activities.
  • National Security Concerns: Bangladesh expressed concerns over “smart fencing” equipped with electronic surveillance, claiming it allowed India to monitor Bangladeshi territory.
• India’s Stance: India has reiterated that all border security measures, including fencing, adhere to bilateral agreements and protocols established with Bangladesh.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that barbed wire fencing is not a “defense structure” and is intended for border security​​.

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Timeline of the India-Bangladesh Border Issue

• 1975: India and Bangladesh signed Joint Guidelines and  agreed not to construct defense structures within 150 yards of the international border.
• 1980s: India initiated barbed wire fencing along critical stretches of the India-Bangladesh border to address infiltration, smuggling, and illegal migration.
• 2015: Land Boundary Agreement (LBA):
  • Resolved long-standing enclave and land disputes between the two nations.
  • Enabled better border demarcation, facilitating additional fencing.
  • India enacted the 100th Constitutional Amendment to implement the agreement.
• 2019: Operation BOLD-QIT Launched:
  • Deployed in Assam’s Dhubri district under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS).
  • Introduced electronic surveillance for riverine and porous sections of the border.
• 2023: Fencing Progress: Approximately 81.5% of the 4,096.7 km border was fenced as of 2023.
  • Challenges such as riverine areas, resistance from local communities, and pending land acquisition continued to impede progress.

About India’s International Borders

• India shares its international land borders with seven countries and has a coastline of 7,516km.
• Total land border length: 15,106.7 km
• India shares borders with the countries
  • Bangladesh – 4096.70 kms running along West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
  • Pakistan – 3323 kms running along Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.
  • China – 3488 kms running along Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
  • Nepal – 1751 kms running along Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.
  • Bhutan – 699 kms running along Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Myanmar – 1643 kms running along Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
  • Afghanistan – 106 kms running along Union Territory of Ladakh

Border Management in India

India’s border management involves multiple agencies and forces, each with specific responsibilities depending on the type of border and associated challenges. The coordination among these agencies is crucial for effective management.

• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees policy and operational aspects of all border guarding forces.
  • Key Departments:
    • Department of Border Management: Focuses on infrastructure development, such as roads, fencing, and floodlighting.
      • Oversees the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) for socio-economic upliftment of border regions.
• Border Security Force (BSF): Manages 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 peace along the international borders during peacetime.
  • Special Features: Equipped with advanced surveillance technology, smart fencing, and floodlights.
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): Guards the India-China border (3,488 km).
  • Primary Functions:
    • Conduct surveillance and maintain security along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
    • Operate in extreme altitudes and challenging terrain.
    • Assist in disaster management and internal security duties when required.
• 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.
    • Work closely with local law enforcement to maintain peace in the border areas.
  • Special Role: Acts as the first line of defense in the open-border system with Nepal.
• Assam Rifles: Responsibility: Manages the India-Myanmar border (1,643 km).
  • Primary Functions:
    • Prevent smuggling, arms trafficking, and insurgency in the northeast region.
    • Conduct counter-insurgency operations and aid in maintaining law and order.
    • Support local administration in developmental initiatives.
• Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Secures India’s 7,516.6 km coastline, including maritime borders with Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia.
  • Primary Functions:
    • Prevent illegal fishing, smuggling, and piracy.
    • Conduct search and rescue operations.
    • Protect marine biodiversity and enforce maritime laws.

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Importance of Border Management

• Ensuring National Security: Border management is critical for preventing cross-border terrorism and infiltration.
  • India faces constant threats from infiltrators along the India-Pakistan LoC, as seen in the Pathankot (2016) and Uri (2016) attacks.
• Curbing Smuggling and Trafficking: Effective border management reduces 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 implications.
  • India’s Northeastern Region (NER) has been grappling with the challenge of drug trafficking since the 1970s, primarily due to the region’s 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 has published a final list that declared more than 19 lakh people living in Assam as illegal migrants.
• Preventing Insurgency and Arms Smuggling: Border management is crucial in 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 seen 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, boosting economic ties.
  • Agreements like the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh enhance trade connectivity while ensuring regulated movement.

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Govt Initiatives for Border Management in India

• Infrastructure Development
  • Border Roads and Highways: Developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for better connectivity in remote border areas.
    • Example: Zojila Tunnel, Atal Tunnel, and all-weather roads in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Integrated Check Posts (ICPs): Modernized infrastructure at border crossings to streamline trade and movement.
    • Equipped with biometric scanners, CCTV surveillance, and X-ray baggage scanners.
    • The first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bhutan border was inaugurated at Darranga, Assam in November 2024.
  • Border Fencing: Use of vibration sensors, laser walls, and physical fencing along sensitive borders like India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh.
  • 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 Area Development
  • Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Focused on developing infrastructure, health, and education facilities in border regions.
    • Installation of solar-powered lighting and Wi-Fi hotspots for connectivity.
  • Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP): Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in 2023 for comprehensive development of the selected villages in northern border in the States of 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.
• Advanced Surveillance and Monitoring Technology
  • Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS): A system that uses technology, manpower, and intelligence to improve border security in India.
    • Smart fencing with laser-based intrusion detection.

• • • Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique (BOLD-QIT)
    • Thermal imagers, night vision devices, and ground sensors.
    • Integrated command and control centers for real-time monitoring.
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Use of drones for aerial surveillance in rugged terrains.
    • Example: Deployment of Heron drones along 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.

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Challenges in Border Management in India

• Geographic and Topographic Challenges
  • Diverse Terrain: India’s borders span mountains, deserts, rivers, and forests, making surveillance and infrastructure development difficult.
    • Example: High-altitude Himalayan regions along the India-China border in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Porous Borders: Unfenced and porous 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 extreme cold in Ladakh or dense monsoons in the Northeast, hamper operations.
• Security Challenges
  • Cross-Border Terrorism: Persistent infiltration attempts by terrorist groups, particularly along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu & Kashmir.
  • Insurgency and Militancy: Border regions in the Northeast, like 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: Human trafficking and drug smuggling are rampant.
• Infrastructure and Technological Gaps
  • Inadequate Infrastructure: Border roads and facilities are underdeveloped in remote areas, delaying troop movement and logistics.
    • Example: On India China Border, Indian roads end 60-80 km before the LAC, while Chinese infrastructure is much closer to the border, offering 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 hinder real-time data sharing and coordination.
• Political and Administrative Challenges
  • Federal Conflicts: Coordination issues between the Centre and states over managing borders, 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.

Way Forward in Border Management in India

• Infrastructure Development: Accelerate construction of all-weather roads, tunnels, and bridges in remote border areas through initiatives like the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
  • Develop Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) equipped with advanced scanning and surveillance technologies to streamline trade and security.
• Technology Integration: Expand the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) with smart fencing, thermal cameras, drones, and ground sensors for real-time surveillance.
  • Use satellite imagery and AI-driven analytics to monitor and analyze border activities.
• Enhanced Coordination: Establish unified command centers to streamline operations among multiple agencies such as BSF, ITBP, and local police.
  • Improve collaboration with neighboring countries through joint patrolling and bilateral agreements like the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP).
• Community Engagement: Strengthen the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) to address socio-economic needs of border communities, fostering cooperation and reducing vulnerabilities.
  • Provide incentives for local populations to assist in reporting suspicious activities.
• Capacity Building and Modernization: Train border security forces in advanced surveillance techniques, high-altitude operations, and counter-insurgency tactics.
  • Equip forces with modern tools like GPS-enabled devices, encrypted communication systems, and night vision technology.
• Policy and Financial Support: Allocate increased funding for border management, focusing on both infrastructure and technology.
  • Formulate long-term policies addressing migration issues, cross-border disputes, and smuggling to ensure sustainable security measures.

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Conclusion

India’s border management strategy must balance security concerns with developmental goals to enhance bilateral relations and ensure sustainable peace.

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