Table Of ContentPushpita Das
IndIa’s approach
to
Border ManageMent
From Barriers to Bridges
This book attempts to provide a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances
which have shaped India’s approach towards its international borders and the
framework it has developed to better manage its borders. The book argues that
persistence of various cross-border threats and challenges and an absence of
robust intra-regional trade among its neighbouring countries forced India to
employ a security-centric and unilateral approach to border management with
emphasis on hardening the borders to cross-border trade and travel and keeping
the border areas underdeveloped to act as a buffer against external conventional
threats. However, as India’s economy grew and the country gained more
confidence and resources, India started perceiving the borders as bridges rather
than barriers. Consequently, greater emphasis was being laid on development of
border areas and restoring severed lines of communication with its neighbours
through increased investments in building transportation networks both
within the border as well as beyond. It also started constructively engaging its
neighbours to effectively manage its international borders. Besides discussing
the threats and challenges that India faces along the borders, the book aims to
develop an understanding of India’s border management practices by analysing
various programmes and initiatives such as the raising of border guarding forces;
building of physical and electronic fences; the establishment of modern facilities
for smoothening legitimate cross-border travel; the development of the border
areas through special programmes; and increasing trade and connectivity as well
as other cooperative bilateral mechanisms.
Dr. Pushpita Das is Research Fellow and Coordinator of the Internal Security
Centre at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-
IDSA), New Delhi. Her areas of research include border security and management,
coastal security, drug trafficking, migration, and India’s Northeast. Dr. Das has written
extensively on her areas of research including: monographs titled Illegal Migration
from Bangladesh: Deportation, Fences, Work Permit (2016) and Coastal Security: the Indian
Approach (2013); and a number of articles and commentaries in journals and books.
Dr. Pushpita Das holds a Doctorate from the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
IndIa’s approach
to
Border ManageMent
From Barriers to Bridges
Pushpita Das
KNOWLEDGE WORLD
KW Publishers Pvt Ltd
New Delhi
First published 2023
by Routledge
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi
The right of Pushpita Das to be identified as author of this work has been asserted
in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised
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hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information
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trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to
infringe.
Print edition not for sale in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh,
Pakistan or Bhutan)
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 9781032430119 (hbk)
ISBN: 9781032430126 (pbk)
ISBN: 9781003365327 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003365327
Typeset in Adobe Caslon Pro
by KW Publishers, Delhi
To Kalyan...
Contents
List of Tables and Maps ix
Acknowledgements xi
Introduction xiii
1. Security Threats to India’s Borders 1
2. Guarding the Borders 41
3. Border Infrastructure: Fences and Equipment 69
4. Strategic Roads and Railways in the Border Areas 96
5. Regulating India’s Borders: Cross Border Movement 117
6. Integrated Check Posts and Land Customs Stations 153
7. Border Area Development Programme 176
8. Connectivity in Border Areas: A Case of the Northeast 198
9. Cross-border Connectivity 225
10. Border Trade 251
viii • India’s Approach to Border Management
11. Bilateral Institutional Mechanisms 286
The Next Steps 324
Bibliography 332
Index 357
List of Tables and Maps
Tables
Table 1: Battalions and BOPs on Various
International Borders 59
Table 2: Share of India’s Trade through Land Borders in
2017-2018 155
Table 3: Location of ICPs under Phase I 162
Table 4: Location of ICPs under Phase II 170
Table 5: Programmes under BADP in the
Seventh Five Year Plan 181
Table 6: Road Connectivity 1949-1965 200
Table 7: Roads in NEFA 201
Table 8: Roads Sanctioned under Prime Minister’s
Initiative in 2000 209
Table 9: Gauge Conversion Projects 212
Table 10: Status of Connectivity to Capital Cities
in the Northeast 212
Table 11: Rail-Road Connectivity between
India and Bangladesh 233
Maps
Map 1: Road Network (BRO Roads 1961-62) 102
Map 2: Railway Network 107
Map 3: Integrated Check Posts 170
Map 4: Railway Network – Northeast 214
Map 5: Border Trading Points/Haats 258
