Porous Borders : Threat to Internal Security

19 Feb Porous Borders : Threat to Internal Security

SYLLABUS MAPPING:

GS- 3-Internal security- Porous Borders: Threat to Internal Security

FOR PRELIMS

What are the Key Challenges in Border Security?

FOR MAINS

What is the role of the Border Security Force (BSF) in safeguarding India’s land Borders? How does its coordination with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) help in curbing cross-border crimes?

The 55th BSF-BGB Director General Level Border Coordination Conference is in the news as it is being held in New Delhi . The talks, led by DG BSF Daljit Singh Chawdhary and DG BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, focus on border security, crime prevention, and trade infrastructure. The MEA stressed the importance of honouring MoUs and agreements for better coordination.

Brief about India & its Border 

India shares its land borders with seven countries, spanning approximately 15,106 kilometres, and has a maritime boundary of  7,516 kilometres along the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal. While some land borders are secured with fencing and checkpoints, others remain porous due to geographical and diplomatic complexities, leading to infiltration and smuggling. Maritime security faces challenges like piracy, illegal migration, and unregulated fishing. Initiatives like the Sagar Mala Programme and Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) are strengthening India’s border security, ensuring both land and sea frontiers are well-guarded.

Government Initiatives for Border Management

1. Border Infrastructure Development: Projects like the construction of border roads and fencing aim to enhance mobility for security forces and deter unauthorized crossings. Example: The Bharatmala Project aims to construct highways along border areas for improved military and logistical movement.
2. Deployment of Specialized Forces: The BSF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) are strategically positioned along various borders, each trained to handle specific regional challenges. Example: The Rashtriya Rifles is a counter-insurgency force deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to neutralise threats from cross-border terrorism.
3. International Collaborations: Regular dialogues and joint exercises with neighbouring countries, exemplified by the BSF-BGB conferences, aim to address cross-border issues like smuggling, human trafficking, and infiltration. Example: The India-Myanmar Border Agreement facilitates coordinated patrolling and intelligence-sharing to curb insurgent activities.
4. Legal and Policy Measures: Enactment of laws such as the Passport (Entry into India) Act and the Foreigners Act empowers authorities to regulate entry and manage the stay of foreigners.
5. Community Engagement: Initiatives like the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) focus on improving infrastructure and economic conditions in border regions, thereby fostering cooperation between local communities and security agencies.
Example: The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) promotes the development of villages along the Indo-China border to strengthen security through community participation.

Porous Borders: A Threat  to Internal Security 

1. Infiltration by Militants: Unmonitored borders can be exploited by insurgents and terrorists to enter the country.
Example: The Samadhan Doctrine, a counter-Maoist strategy, focuses on blocking infiltration routes from Nepal and Myanmar.
2. Smuggling of Arms and Narcotics: Illicit trade in weapons and drugs thrives in areas where border control is weak, funding criminal activities and insurgencies. Example: The Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) targets drug trafficking along the India-Pakistan and India-Myanmar borders.
3. Human Trafficking: Porous borders facilitate the trafficking of persons for forced labour, prostitution, and other exploitative purposes, leading to severe human rights violations. Example: The Ujjwala Scheme provides support for victims of human trafficking by offering rehabilitation and reintegration services.
4. Economic Threats: Smuggling of goods undermines the local economy and results in significant revenue losses for the government. Example: The Operation Thunderstorm initiative cracked down on cross-border smuggling networks in Northeast India.
5. Spread of Diseases: Unregulated cross-border movement can lead to the spread of infectious diseases, posing public health challenges. Example: The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) monitors and responds to disease outbreaks in border regions.
6. Demographic Changes: Illegal immigration can alter the demographic composition of border areas, leading to social and political tensions. Example: The National Register of Citizens (NRC) was implemented in Assam to identify and curb illegal immigration.

Challenges in Border Management

1. Diverse and Difficult Terrains: The varied geography, from the Himalayas to dense forests and riverine landscapes, hampers the establishment of physical barriers and consistent patrolling. Example: The Border Outposts Strengthening Programme focuses on securing vulnerable border stretches.
2. Lengthy Borders: The sheer expanse of India’s borders makes comprehensive monitoring a daunting task.
Example: CIBMS is being deployed along the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh borders for round-the-clock surveillance.
3. Cross-Border Cultural Ties: Ethnic and cultural affiliations often span borders, complicating enforcement actions.
Example: The Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship allows free movement but poses security risks.
4. Resource Constraints: Ensuring adequate manpower, advanced technology, and infrastructure across all border areas requires substantial investment. Example: Modernization of Police Forces (MPF) Scheme provides funding to improve law enforcement in border states.
5. Political and Diplomatic Sensitivities: Border disputes necessitate careful handling to prevent escalation.
6. Local Opposition: Infrastructure projects like fencing can face resistance from local populations due to concerns over livelihood and restricted movement.

Recommendation for Better Border Management 

1. Technological Integration: Adopt advanced surveillance systems, including drones, motion sensors, and satellite imagery, to monitor remote and sensitive areas effectively.
Example: Drone-Based Border Surveillance Project enhances real-time threat detection.
2. Enhanced Training and Resources: Provide specialized training for border security personnel and equip them with modern tools to detect and prevent illegal activities. Example: The Police Modernization Scheme ensures the latest equipment for border forces.
3. Strengthened International Cooperation: Engage in regular dialogues, intelligence sharing, and joint operations with neighbouring countries to address cross-border challenges collaboratively. Example: BIMSTEC Border Security Cooperation enhances regional counter-terrorism efforts.
4. Community Participation: Involve local communities in security efforts by addressing their socio-economic needs and encouraging them to report suspicious activities.
5. Policy Reforms: Regularly update and enforce laws to address emerging threats and ensure stringent penalties for violations related to border security.

Conclusion