BORDER AREA MANAGEMENT

BORDER AREA MANAGEMENT

BORDER MANAGEMENT

Border management is a security function requiring cooperation and rigorous action by different governmental agencies. The aim is to secure frontiers and safeguard the nation from the risks involved in the movement of goods and people from India to other countries and vice versa.

• Land neighbours: The country’s large land border of around 15,106.7 km is shared with Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan, as well as a small portion with Afghanistan.
• It encompasses varied terrain — deserts, glaciers, lakes, rivers, snow-covered peaks, swampy marshes, fertile lands, and tropical jungles — making it one of the world’s most complex borders.

Types of land border

• International borderline (IBL): IBL is the demarcation that has been agreed upon and ratified by both the neighbouring countries, and has been accepted by the rest of the world.
• Line of control (LoC): LoC is the de facto border and separates Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from India’s state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Line of actual control (LoAC): LoAC is the boundary line that separates Indian-held lands from Chinese-controlled territory. The disputed and unsettled nature of our boundaries (both land and maritime) has made their security much more difficult.

India-Pakistan Border

The Indo-Pakistan border was created in 1947, covering a length of 3,323 km along the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan. The sections of the India-Pakistan border are:

• Radcliffe Line: It stretches from Gujarat to parts of Jammu district in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Line of Control: It runs along some districts of Jammu and some portions of Leh. It is also called the Ceasefire Line, which came into existence after the 1948 and 1971 wars between India and Pakistan.
• Actual ground position line: It divides current positions of Indian and Pakistani military posts and troops across the entire 110 kilometers long front line in the disputed region of Siachen Glacier.

Challenges

1. Border disputes
   • Siachen Glacier: The conflict was started in 1984 by India’s successful capture of the Siachen Glacier as part of Operation Meghdoot. India took control of the 70-km-long Siachen Glacier and its tributary glaciers, as well as all the main passes.
   • Sir Creek: The Sir Creek is a 96 km (60 mi) strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands. Pakistan claims the line to follow the eastern shore of the estuary while India claims a center line.
2. Gilgit-Baltistan issue: India recently opposed Pakistan’s order to integrate the region of Gilgit-Baltistan into the federal structure of the country. India, unlike Pakistan, claims Gilgit-Baltistan as a constitutional part of the country and declares the people of Gilgit-Baltistan as her citizens.
3. River disputes: In 2010, Pakistan appealed to the Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration (CoA) against the Kishanganga hydroelectric project under the Indus Water Treaty. However, CoA permitted India to continue with the project.
4. Smuggling and Trafficking: Issues such as drug smuggling, fake currency, arms trafficking due to porous borders and diverse terrain.
5. Other issues: Infiltration and cross-border terrorism with support of Pakistani military forces.

Initiatives taken by Government

• Deployment of NSG: National Security Guard (NSG) commandos in J&K to fortify counter-terror operations by training J&K police and other paramilitary forces.
• Fencing: By 2011, almost all of the border along J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat was double-row fenced on the LoC.
• Use of technology: CCTV cameras, thermal imagers and NVDs, BFSRs, underground monitoring sensors, and laser barriers along the border to track all movement from the other side.
• Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS): Following the Pathankot terrorist attack, MHA sanctioned the implementation of a CIBMS to establish an integrated security system at borders, providing all-round security even in adverse climatic conditions.
  • Smart fence project: India’s first ‘smart fence’ pilot project has been launched along the 5.5 km stretch on the India-Pakistan International Border in Ploura, Jammu and Kashmir.

India-China Border

The India-China border is spread over a distance of 3,488 km and extends from Jammu Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.

Challenges along the border

1. Border disputes
   • Western Sector – Aksai Chin: After 1947, India used the Johnson Line as the basis for its official boundary, but China does not accept the same. The 1962 war was a result of the skirmishes in this region, which resulted in the existing line known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
   • Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand): The dispute is a minor one. Here, LAC is the least controversial except for the precise alignment to be followed in the Barahoti plains.
   • Eastern Sector: The eastern sector of the India-China boundary forms borders between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh on the Indian side and China on the other side. China has disagreed with the McMohan Line and claims almost the whole of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Southern Tibet.
2. Smuggling: Smuggling of Chinese electronics and other consumer goods takes place through these border points, even after only three designated areas for border trade exist. These are Lipu Lekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La.
3. Inadequate infrastructure: Due to high altitude and tough terrain. However, China has undertaken a large-scale effort to upgrade air, road, and rail infrastructure, as well as surveillance capabilities near the border.
4. Water-sharing issues: China is building dams on its side on the river Brahmaputra, reducing water flows on the Indian side. India has objected to it, but there has been no formal treaty over the sharing of Brahmaputra water.

Government initiatives

• Confidence Building Measures: The two countries are also engaged in Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) on the border with bilateral agreements signed in 1993, 1996, 2005, 2012, and 2013.
• Infrastructure development: India is close to completing a major upgrade of border roads, bridges such as Dhola Sadiya, etc.
  • For example: Under the vibrant village initiative under the border area development programme, development will be pushed in the border villages by building roads, mobile towers, banks, etc.
• Army infrastructure projects within 100 km of LAC have been exempted from forest clearance.
• Road building: 18 border roads are already complete and operational, 7 are about to be completed, and work on 8 roads under Phase II of the Indo-China Border Roads project.

India-Bangladesh Border

India shares 4,096 km with Bangladesh. This is the fifth longest international border in the world. The length covers different geographical terrains such as open area, plain, a river, and jungles.

Challenges along border

1. Border fencing issues: Fencing the borders is an issue due to riverine, swampy region; population residing close to the border region, etc., making it difficult to have a proper border.
2. Illegal Immigration: Under-development, religious persecution, environmental concerns, etc., pushed Bangladeshis into India, while India’s huge economy and accommodative society pulled immigrants. Recent eruption of communal violence in Assam has a direct link with this immigration.
3. Cattle and other Smuggling: Cattle from as far as Haryana, UP, Bihar is taken to borders for grazing and then smuggled to Bangladesh, leading to a loss of revenue for the government.
4. Teesta River Water Dispute: In 2011, India and Bangladesh finalized an arrangement regarding water use from the Teesta River. However, this agreement was not signed due to opposition from the chief minister of West Bengal.
5. Illegal cross-border trade: Such as jamdani sarees, rice, salt, and diesel.
6. Other issues: Occasional shooting by armed forces, border killings (account of cattle trafficking by border forces, etc.)

Government initiatives

• Border Protection Grid: Government has announced the establishment of BPG with Indo-Bangladesh Border State.
• BOLD-QIT (Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique): The system will monitor unfenced riverine areas of Brahmaputra and its tributaries, thus reducing problems of illegal migration and smuggling from Bangladesh.
• Land Boundary Agreement, 2015: The 2015 LBA implements the unresolved issues stemming from the un-demarcated land boundary in three sectors: exchange of enclaves, and adverse possessions, which were first addressed in the 2011 Protocol.
• Bilateral cooperation: Conduct of joint patrols, information sharing, conduct of border haats, and MoUs to tackle human trafficking, smuggling, and fake currency notes.
• Others: Construction of border fencing and floodlighting, and introduction of Hi-Tech surveillance equipment.

India-Nepal Border

The India-Nepal border is an open border that covers a length of 1,751 km spanning through states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim, which share the border with Nepal.

Challenges along the border

1. Border issue: Nepal unveiled a new political map that claimed strategically important land Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of its sovereign territory. The map is in retaliation for Nepal’s objection to the construction of a road by India from Dharchula to Lipulekh in Uttarakhand.
2. Refugees: Suspected terrorists and hard-core criminals in India sneak out of the country through the open border and hide themselves.
3. Smuggling: Smuggling gold, drugs, fake Indian currency notes (FICN), women and children, arms, and explosives. Indo-Nepal border has become a major conduit for smuggling FICN.
4. Infiltration of terrorists: Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been using Nepalese territory to carry out anti-India activities since the 1990s. ISI has created a number of terrorist fronts in Nepal and has also pushed in men and explosives through the border to carry out terror attacks in India.
5. Madhesi issue: A new constitution was promulgated in Nepal in 2015. It gave extensive political privileges to the ruling hill tribes and discriminated against the people living in the plains, including Madhesis (the residents around the Terai region) that led to a two months long blockade on the India-Nepal border. Nepal accused India for this blockade.

Government initiatives

• Increase in security personnel: The presence of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) along the Indo-Nepal border has been further augmented with the construction of additional Border Out Posts (BOPs).
• Border District Coordination Committee: At the level of district officials of the two countries, this committee has been established as platforms for discussing issues of mutual concern.

• Bilateral talks: Bilateral mechanisms in the form of Home Secretary-level talks and Joint Working Group at the level of Joint Secretaries exist between the two countries.
• Construction of Indo-Nepal border roads: The Government of India has approved construction of 1377 km of roads along the Nepal border in the States of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
• Integrated Check-Post (ICP): India is nearing completion of the Integrated Check-Post (ICP) at Jogbani (Bihar)-Biratnagar border gate with Nepal. This is the second ICP on the Nepal border after Raxaul-Birgunj.
• New Intelligence section: Establishment of a new intelligence section in SSB to ensure better operational efficiency.

India-Myanmar Border

India shares a porous border with Myanmar that spans across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. There is a Free Movement Regime up to a distance of 16 km along the border.

Challenges along the border

1. Misuse of Free movement regime: The FMR has been misused by locals to smuggle contraband in their head loads, which are not subject to inspection.
2. Misuse by militants: Militant groups have been using the porous border for moving cadres and war-like stores. Groups like NSCN-K maintain camps and training bases.
3. Arms and weapons trafficking: The Indian insurgent groups have been procuring arms from the black markets of Southeast Asia as well as from Myanmar-based rebel groups.
4. Narcotics: The location of the boundary at the edge of the “Drugs golden triangle” facilitates the unrestricted illegal flows of drugs into Indian territory.
5. Geographic condition: High mountains, deep river channels, and lush forests characterize the borderland, creating difficulty in constructing means of transportation and communication.
6. Illegal migration: Illegal migration of Rohingyas into Indian territory due to ethnic cleansing in Myanmar is leading to ethnic clashes with local communities and scarcity of resources.

Government initiatives

• Integrated check posts: Cabinet has proposed to set up new ICPs to encourage India’s engagement with SAARC countries along with Thailand and Myanmar.
• Operation Sunrise, 2019: The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Myanmar Army, targeted members of the Arakan Army, an insurgent group in Myanmar.
• Fencing: The government is constructing a fence on the border. However, the same has not been very well received by the locals.

India-Bhutan Border

The India-Bhutan border is a 699 km long open border, and proper demarcation was completed in the year 2006 along Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, guarded by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Challenges along the border

1. Border issue: The Indo-Bhutan border is demarcated except along the tri-junction with China, which has led to issues such as the Doklam crisis in 2017.
2. Smuggling: The porousness of these borders makes it a hotbed of illegal activities like smuggling of Chinese made goods, Bhutanese cannabis, liquor, and forest products. Livestock, grocery items, and fruits are smuggled out of India to Bhutan.

Government initiatives

• Bilateral cooperation: A Secretary-level bilateral mechanism in the shape of an India-Bhutan Group on Border Management and Security is in existence.

• Border District Coordination Meeting (BDCM) Mechanism: It exists between the bordering States and the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) to facilitate coordination on border management and other related matters.
• Road construction: The Government of India has approved the construction of 313 km of road in Assam along the Indo-Bhutan border. About 60,000 Indian nationals live in Bhutan, employed mostly in the hydro-electric power construction and road industry.
• Operation All Clear (2003-04): The Royal Bhutan Army conducted cross-border operations on Bhutanese soil between December 2003 and January 2004 to eliminate militants based in South Bhutan. The Indian Army deployed 12 battalions along the Bhutan border to prevent rebels from entering Indian territory.
• New Intelligence section: Establishment of a new intelligence section in SSB to ensure better operational efficiency.

India-Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka shares a maritime border with India and is important for India’s security.

Challenges along the maritime region

1. Katchatheevu Island: India ceded the uninhabited island to Sri Lanka in 1974 under a conditional accord. However, Indian fishermen consider it to be their traditional fishing area and want Katchatheevu to be used as fishing grounds for India as well.
2. Fishermen issue: Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the Palk Straits and the Gulf of Mannar, incidents of straying fishermen are common.

Government initiatives

• Fishing vessels: Fishing trawlers are being installed with AIS transponders; color coding of vessels, uniform registration system, etc.

Way forward

1. Policy measures

• Border security policy: Creating a comprehensive border security policy integrating capabilities of different borders.
• Separate ministry: Establishing a separate ministry to accord special attention to border guarding forces.
• Land acquisition: Acquiring land between the fence and the international border to meet the power needs of the forces by placing solar power plants.

2. Security-related

• Conducting border operations: Border operations to be carried out in sync with Border Operations and Intelligence Centres.
• Human resource: Guarding forces to recruit young volunteers for information gathering and human resources, leading to better communication between locals and the force.
• Coordination: Security agencies of both countries should coordinate more closely and effectively for better monitoring of the border. An increased use of technology in monitoring border movement can also help to secure the open border.
• Training centre: A unified training centre for better coordination of the forces at a higher level.

3. Collaborative border management

• Cross-border cooperation (CBC): This is based on information sharing and a collaborative approach between neighboring countries for border security, such as sharing national databases of criminals, establishing joint BOPs, joint patrols, etc.
• Public-private partnership: The private sector can be encouraged to participate in border management, such as the establishment of a PPP model similar to the “Customs Trade Partnership against Terrorism” model of the US, which is a government-business partnership to increase border security.
• In-country collaboration: It will include participation of all country stakeholders which will comprise of forces at district borders, community policing, citizens residing in border areas, etc.
• Settling borders: A Joint Boundary Demarcation Committee could be appointed by the countries to scientifically study the maps and come to a conclusion diplomatically.

4. Innovative and technology infrastructure

• Smart identity management: Border management agencies have to proactively identify any potential breach of security. The use of biometrics for identification is one of the smart ways of identity management.
• Smart inspection system: It uses a smart identity management system that ensures that only legitimate people are allowed to engage in cross-border management. ePassports and eGates can be used to automate the inspection process.
• Judicious mix of technology: Instead of high-cost technological solutions that require extensive technical expertise, a judicious mix of properly trained manpower and affordable and tested technology is likely to yield better results.
• Security and surveillance system: Monitoring and surveillance systems act as force multipliers to the armed forces personnel. Adopting a multi-layer system can help in effective management of borders.

5. Others

• Public awareness: It is only by creating public awareness and close involvement of the people at large that interests of safeguarding national security can be served best.

6. Best practice

• Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan (ATP), 2011: The focus of the ATP is on technology that meets the needs of local border conditions; a multi-year effort to make it cost-effective; a mix of fixed and mobile technology; and the use of non-developmental, pre-existing, and tested technology.

COASTAL SECURITY

India has a 7,516 km long coastline, which includes 5,422 km of coastline in the mainland and 2,094 km of coastline bordering around 1,382 islands. The peninsular coastline of India is shaped by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Arabian Sea in the west, and it is spread over nine states and four union territories.

Coastal Security System

• There is a multi-tier arrangement for the protection and maritime security of the country involving the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police of the coastal states and union territories.
• The surveillance on the high seas is carried out along the limits of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by the Navy and the Coast Guard, and close to shallow waters is done by the State Marine Police. The state’s jurisdiction extends up to 12 nautical miles in the shallow territorial waters.

Need for Coastal Security / Factors adding vulnerability to Indian coastline

1. Geographical reasons
   • Physical proximity: Physical proximity of India’s coasts to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Gulf countries adds to its vulnerability.
   • Terrain: The creeks along the coasts of Gujarat and West Bengal are the most preferred routes for infiltration and smuggling. Such terrain makes the border extremely porous to infiltration and smuggling.
2. Vital infrastructure: The Indian coasts also have strategic installations such as naval bases, power plants, satellite and missile ranges, and ports.
   • Naval commands: The eastern, western, southern, and far eastern naval commands are located in Vishakhapatnam, Mumbai, Kochi, and Port Blair, respectively.
   • Nuclear power plants: Nuclear power plants at Tarapur, Kudankulam, Kalpakkam have been established close to the sea.
   • Satellite launch: Satellite launching and missile testing facilities such as Satish Dhawan Space Centre and Wheeler Islands missile facility are located along the coast.
   • Ports: India has 12 major ports such as Kandla, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mangalore, Haldia, which handle 90 percent of India’s maritime trade.
3. Economic importance: About 90% of our foreign trade by volume and nearly 70% by value of external trade are through seas. However, the existence of these high-value assets has increased the vulnerability of India’s coasts to terrorist attacks.
4. Anti-national activities: India’s coasts have been vulnerable to anti-national activities like smuggling of goods, gold, narcotics, explosives, arms and ammunition, as well as infiltration of terrorists into India through these coasts.
5. Security-related issues: Due to their remoteness, coastal areas often remain unguarded or poorly guarded, providing ideal spots for clandestine landings of arms, explosives, and contraband by smugglers and infiltration by terrorists (MHA).
   • Terrorist attacks: For example, the serial bomb blasts of March 1993 and terrorist attacks in November 2008, both were orchestrated principally using sea routes.
   • Piracy and armed robbery: Smuggling of consumer and intermediate goods, narcotics, and customs delays in importing goods through sea routes.
   • Infiltration, illegal migration, and refugee influx: Large-scale refugee influxes over the decades have resulted in widespread political turmoil in the border states. For example, the Creek areas of Gujarat with complex terrain are conducive for infiltration.
   • Unsettled maritime boundaries: They pose serious security challenges and hinder offshore development. India’s maritime boundaries with Pakistan (Sir Creek) and Bangladesh are not delineated because of overlapping claims.

Issues in maritime security

1. Policy issues
   • Inadequate mechanisms at the state level: Below-par state-level monitoring mechanisms, substituting state-controlled marine police with a central force, ignore structural impediments, such as the lack of local intelligence and regional language skills, as well as turf wars between agencies.
   • Lack of coordination: The involvement of different agencies and ministries at the center, state, and local levels invariably leads to coordination problems.
2. Systemic flaws in policing apparatus
   • Manpower shortage: The marine police stations are not functioning effectively due to a shortage of manpower and lack of interceptor boats. For example, the Navy faces a 20.68% shortage of sailors.
   • Inadequate training: Though marine police are tasked with overall coastal security, they are not trained for counterterrorism.
   • Inadequate patrolling: A cumulative shortfall (over 90%) in patrolling efforts, especially at night, and a decline in physical checks on fishing vessels by the Coastal Police.

1. Less emphasis on non-traditional challenges: Such as human trafficking, IUU fishing, climate-induced crises, and maritime pollution. The main focus has been on terrorism threat.
2. Critical gaps at Indian ports: Out of 227 minor ports in India, 187 had little or no security at all [IB Report 2016].

Government Initiatives

1. Before 26/11 Mumbai Incident
   • National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security: Headed by the Cabinet Secretary, coordinates all matters related to Maritime and Coastal Security.
   • Indian Coast Guard: Custom marine organization was merged with the India coast guard and was entrusted with the responsibility of law enforcement in India’s jurisdictional waters and to protect artificial islands, offshore terminals, installations, and fishermen.
   • Marine Police Force: Under the Coastal Security Scheme (2005), a marine police force was created with the aim to strengthen infrastructure for patrolling and surveillance.
2. Initiatives After 26/11 Mumbai Incident
   • Institutional measures
     • National Investigation Agency: Set up in 2009 to deal with terrorist offences.
     • National Security Guard: Created to ensure rapid response to terror attacks.
     • National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): Constituted to create an appropriate database of security-related information.
     • Enhanced surveillance: Focus on enhancing surveillance in territorial waters by all agencies, including the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Police, and Customs.
     • Indian Coast Guard: Additionally designated as the authority responsible for coastal security in territorial waters.
     • Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC): The nodal centre for maritime security information collation and dissemination, forming the cornerstone of the National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network for monitoring maritime traffic in India’s area of interest.
   • Technological measures
     • Setting up Coastal Radar and AIS chain along the coast and on island territories for 24X7 surveillance.
     • Installation of Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in all important Ports and Channels to ensure safety and security of ports, harbors, and shipping in the channels.
     • Vessel Air Traffic Management System (VATMS): Installed in Offshore Development Areas for enhanced surveillance of offshore installations.
     • Joint Operations Centres (JOCs): Set up as Command and Control hubs for better sea governance at 4 centres.
     • National Command Control Communication and Intelligence network (NC3I): Part of an effort to enhance maritime domain awareness, an overarching coastal security network capable of collating data about ships, dhows, fishing boats, and all other vessels operating near the coast.
   • Other measures undertaken
     • Training: Policemen deployed in coastal police stations are trained by the Indian Coast Guard.
     • Marine Police Training Institute: The Government of India has decided to set up Marine Police Training Institutes (MPTI) on the East Coast and West Coast to impart training to Marine Police Personnel.
     • Compulsory registration: Ministry of Shipping mandated to streamline the process of compulsory registration and identification of all types of vessels.
     • Biometric ID card: Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries mandated to issue biometric ID cards to all fishermen.
     • Sagar Prahari Bal: A special force comprising 1000 specialized personnel and 80 Fast Interceptor Crafts for the security protection of naval bases has been raised.

Way forward

• Involving coastal police: Instead of setting up a coastal border security force with no legal powers, authorities must move to strengthen and better integrate the coastal police into the littoral security architecture.
• Improved surveillance and interagency coordination: For better domain awareness, India needs broader and more efficient surveillance coverage.
• Need for a legislative framework: Comprehensive legislation must be enacted to place systems for the protection of India’s maritime infrastructure, covering both shipping and port sectors.
• Strengthening of the Coast Guard: There should be a clear command chain and defined standard operating procedures with reference to coastal security.
• National Commercial Maritime Security Policy Document: The government must promulgate a National Commercial Maritime Security Policy Document to articulate its strategic vision for commercial maritime security.
• Security exercises: Coastal security exercises like Sagar Kavach and Sea Vigil need to be conducted regularly to generate awareness about threats emanating from the sea.
• Integration of maritime stakeholders: There is a requirement for sharing information among all agencies for coordinated action. Regular communication and flow of information between stakeholders can be facilitated with the help of modern technology.