Border Management

Securing the country’s borders against interests hostile to the country and putting in place systems that are able to interdict such elements while facilitating legitimate trade and commerce are among the principal objectives of border management. As part of the strategy to secure the borders as also to create infrastructure in the border areas of the country, several initiatives have been undertaken by the Border Management-I Division. These include construction of fence, floodlighting, roads, Border Out Posts (BOPs), Company Operating Bases (COBs) and deployment of technological solutions along the India-Pakistan, India-Bangladesh, India-China, India-Nepal, India-Bhutan and India-Myanmar borders. India shares borders with the countries as below:-

(i) Bangladesh – 4096.70 kms running along West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
(ii) Pakistan – 3323 kms running along Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.
(iii) China – 3488 kms running along Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory of Ladakh.
(iv) Nepal – 1751 kms running along Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.
(v) Bhutan – 699 kms running along Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
(vi) Myanmar – 1643 kms running along Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
(vii) Afghanistan – 106 kms running along Union Territory of Ladakh

Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme: Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme comprising of projects aimed at infrastructure development of India’s international borders, which is being implemented by BM-I Division. The approved cost of the scheme during the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 is Rs. 13,020 crore. The scheme aims to enhance the security along the borders of the country and involve implementing a number of projects for the development of border infrastructure such as Border Fence, Border Roads, Border Floodlights, Border Out Posts (BOPs), Helipads and foot tracks along the international borders of the country. It also involves deployment of technological solutions in such patches of the borders, which are not feasible for physical fence.

Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System: To improve situational awareness at different levels of hierarchy to facilitate prompt and quick response to emerging situations along the India-Pakistan Border (IPB) and India-Bangladesh Border (IBB), a Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) has been conceptualized which is the integration of manpower, sensors, networks, intelligence and command control solutions

Challenges to Border Management for India

• India’s expansive and diverse border regions present numerous obstacles for effective border control.
• These include extensive and permeable borders shared with five neighboring nations—Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh—making them susceptible to illegal crossings and smuggling due to their length and difficult-to-patrol nature.
• The varied terrains, spanning mountains, deserts, forests, and rivers, further complicate security efforts, hindering the deployment of forces and the establishment of physical barriers along the entire border length.
• Moreover, the underdevelopment of these areas, lacking basic infrastructure like roads and communication networks, poses operational challenges for security forces and contributes to social instability.
• Transnational crimes like smuggling, trafficking, and terrorism are significant threats along India’s borders, impacting national security and the economy. Climate change worsens these challenges, with melting Himalayan glaciers affecting border patrolling along the Chinese border.
• Specific challenges arise with each neighboring country. The India-Pakistan border, heavily militarized due to historical conflicts, faces frequent violations. Disputed territories and military buildup complicate the India-China border.
• The India-Nepal border, historically open, struggles with illegal migration and smuggling issues. While relatively peaceful, the India-Bhutan border is complicated by Indian enclaves within Bhutanese territory. The India-Bangladesh border, long and porous, deals with significant illegal migration concerns.
• To tackle these issues, India is ramping up efforts by increasing border security forces, constructing physical barriers, enhancing infrastructure, fostering cooperation with neighboring countries, and leveraging technology like surveillance cameras and drones.
• Despite these efforts, India remains dedicated to further investments in border security and continued collaboration with neighboring nations to address these challenges