Internal Security (Border Security) by Viraj C. Rane

Model Answer

Question #1. Discuss the Central Sector Umbrella Scheme of Border Infrastructure and Management for policing and guarding the borders. How will this regime pave the way for regional development while strategically managing India's porous border with the neighbouring countries? 

Approach: -

• The question focuses on the Central Sector Umbrella Scheme of Border Infrastructure and Management from the perspective of security.
• The perspective of the question is positive and asks to elaborate/analyze the significance of the scheme in the area of regional development, policing, and guarding the borders.
• Introduction: the contextual introduction of the scheme; and subsequently, a brief analysis of the scheme 
• Then in the body, explain elaborately  the scheme in the strategic management of the border 
• In conclusion, in the context of the question, along with the way forward, and alternative methods to make the scheme more impactful

Hint: - 

Border management is the first line of defence against the movement of terrorists across borders and the illegal cross-border movement of goods and cargo. India’s border management comprises border region development, communication, and coordination with the neighbouring states and programs to enhance the national interests of India.

Recently, the union government has approved the continuation of the Central Sector Umbrella Scheme of “Border Infrastructure and Management” (BIM) over the 15th Finance Commission Cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26 in a bid to improve border infrastructure and management. 

Significance of the Border Infrastructure and Management: - 

• India’s border management is an integral part of India’s security and commerce. The state secures sovereignty through maintaining and regulating borders with neighbouring countries. India shares a land border of 15, 106 km with 7 countries- Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. 
• According to the UNSC counter-terrorism committee, border management is the first line of defence against cross-border terrorism, infiltration, and exfiltration of armed militants and insurgents, narcotics and arms smuggling; illegal migration; left-wing extremism, and separatist movements aided by external powers. 
• India has actively pursued the strategy of strengthening border policing and guarding, creating border infrastructures like fencing, roads, floodlights, and other developments that are required for the smooth functioning of border security including Integrated Check Posts (ICP), Border Out Posts (BOPs) and Company Operating Bases (COBs). 

The Significance of Border Road Infrastructure in Regional Development: - 

• Trade through Border: - One of the most significant benefits is the development of legal and amicable trade relations with neighbouring countries. For instance, Border Haats with Bangladesh and many more with Nepal, Bhutan, and the trade through the Attari-Wagha border, etc.
• Reducing Strategic Security Challenges: - Proper border road infrastructure and management will reduce the cases of trafficking and smuggling, which is currently a major cause of concern for India and neighbouring countries.
• Inclusive Growth and Atmanirbhar Bharat: - Another major economic benefit is inclusive growth and development. Border road infrastructure, especially in harsh terrains such as the northeast and Jammu & Kashmir provides an avenue for self-employment and boosts traditional small scale Industries and tourism.

Strategic Significance of the Border Road Infrastructure Regime:

• Soft Power towards the East: - One of the significant benefits is that through the border road infrastructure regime, India will be efficiently pushing for her progressive neighbourhood first and act east policies. It will act as soft power in terms of creating community-based contacts. The best example of this is the most recent project of the Kartarpur Corridor.
• Disaster Management: - Difficult and harsh terrains of Indian borders and relatively low development of bordering countries make it inevitable for India to be prepared and self-sufficient to handle many disasters. This regime will ensure the border roads are in proper and swift disaster management
• Maintaining Peace and Security: - Border road infrastructure regime helps in maintaining peace and stability by controlling the security concerns related to inter-region and intra-region issues. Economic avenues provided by such an infrastructure regime definitely lead to strategic benefits within and outside the country to control the menace of terrorism and secessionists’ activities.
• National Integration: - The task of national integration, which was initiated with the independence of India and still going on will be incomplete without border road infrastructure and management. Connectivity and inclusivity are the important tools for national integration of far-flung areas such as Northeastern states and Ladakh, etc.

Challenges in the Regime: - 

• Rough Geological Conditions: - With the rough and difficult terrain, harsh weather and climatic conditions, seismically active areas, etc. in most of the border are the major challenge on the way toward border road infrastructure and management regime. 
• Strategic Challenges: - The ceasefire violation and border intrusions; inadequate manpower, funds with Border Road Organisation (BRO), red-tapism and bureaucratic delays in projects, etc. are the major strategic challenges in the way towards better border management. 

Way Forward: - 

• There is an increasing need to shift the goal-post towards either building various central forces as per each border’s requirements or towards extensively investing in technological capabilities. 
• While the government has improved its operational efficiency by partially centralizing the control and command, there is a need to extend this effort to the Central forces too. 
• The lack of a top bureaucracy rising from among the common brass of troops, and battalions for domestic elections, disaster management, riot control, emergency deployments, etc. should be eradicated by initiating long-term hierarchical adjustments for managing manpower rather than relying purely on macro-management tactics. 

Conclusion: - 

This regime is committed to improving border infrastructure and management. This decision will strengthen the border infrastructure for improving border management, policing and guarding the borders. This decision will strengthen the border infrastructure for improving border management, policing, and guarding the borders.

Question #2. The problem of infiltration has undergone change. Current challenges of infiltration make use of technology indispensable to control insurgency through the borders of India. Discuss.

Approach

• Core demand of question is problem of infiltration on Indian borders and associated challenges.
• Starting should have a brief idea about our border on which this issue is arises.
• Main part of answer must satisfy demand of question that is the challenges arising out of infiltration and how to tackle them.
• Tone of the question is explanatory so there is need to explain different dimensions.
• Conclude adequately with future step to be taken.

HINTS

India shares a 15,106 km international border with its neighbours, which is lengthy and porous, with some disputed borders. These border characteristics pose substantial and distinct challenges for India.

Infiltration and Its Consequences

• Illegal Migration: Illegal migration from Bangladesh and other adjacent nations is an issue in India. It puts a strain on resources, which might lead to violence in India. Illegal migration has also sparked ethnic strife in the north east, since local populations have been reduced to minorities in many states, leading to feelings of insecurity and, as a result, ethnic violence.
• Terrorism: India has been a significant victim of Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, which is usually carried out through cross-border infiltration. The attacks in Uri highlight the security threat posed by infiltration.
• Insurgency and Left-Wing Extremism: Infiltration is being used by external forces to help the insurgency in the North East by supplying weaponry and ammunition. Infiltration is sometimes used by left-wing extremist groups to gain external support.
• Import of counterfeit cash and drug smuggling: Due to simple cross-border infiltration, India confronts a huge threat of counterfeit currency and drug smuggling.

In order to address the problem of infiltration, India needs adopt an integrated and holistic approach:

1. Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System:

Its a Border Management System with a Wide Range of Functions. The planned CIBMS is built as a more robust and integrated system capable of filling weaknesses in the current border security system by seamlessly merging human resources, weapons, and high-tech surveillance equipment.

• It is made up of three primary parts:
• Sensors, detectors, cameras, ground-based radar systems, micro-aerostats, lasers, and other high-tech surveillance devices, as well as existing equipment, for round-the-clock observation of the international boundary;
• For transmitting data collected by these many high-tech monitoring and detection devices, an efficient and dedicated communication network, including fibre optic cables and satellite communication.
• The data will be sent to a command and control centre, which will inform top commanders on what is happening on the ground and provide a composite picture of the international border.
• India has begun construction of critical roadways, an upgraded landing air runway, a new infantry battalion, and a strike corps, as well as revamping border checkpoints.
• Building socioeconomic infrastructure is essential for border security since the border population is a strategic asset. As a result, programmes like the Border Area Development Plan and Border Infrastructure and Management must be efficiently executed.
• The government can promote the use of space technology in border management through promoting island development, border security, communication and navigation, GIS & Operations Planning System, and border infrastructure development.
• Following the successful implementation of the high-tech BOLD-QIT (Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique) on patches of the Indo-Bangla border in Assam, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is moving forward with plans to extend it to the sensitive Bangla border in Northern West Bengal.

Conclusion:

Infiltration is a huge security danger to India, and it must be addressed holistically, focusing on both security and socioeconomic infrastructure simultaneously.