Chapter 5 · Topic 5.1 · Prelims + Mains1 of 2
Border Management: Land borders
Key points
- Borders and forces.
- Border by border threats.
1 PYQ 2014–2023
Prelims box: facts and traps
| Neighbour | Land border (km) |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 4,096.7 |
| China | 3,488 |
| Pakistan | 3,323 (incl. LoC) |
| Nepal | 1,751 |
| Myanmar | 1,643 |
| Bhutan | 699 |
| Afghanistan | 106. |
- The coastline was re-measured in 2024 at 11,098.81 km, up from the old figure of 7,516.6 km, using a new method that counts the high-water line and 1,298 offshore islands.
- Development: the Border Area Development Programme (from 1986-87) builds roads, schools and health centres in border blocks; the Border Infrastructure and Management scheme funds fencing, flood-lighting, roads and border outposts.
- In 2024 the government decided to end the Free Movement Regime (16 km) and fence the whole Myanmar border.
India’s borders and their guards
| Neighbour | Land border (km) | Guarding force |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 4,096.7 | Border Security Force |
| China | 3,488 | Indo-Tibetan Border Police |
| Pakistan | 3,323 (incl. LoC) | Border Security Force; Army on LoC |
| Nepal | 1,751 | Sashastra Seema Bal |
| Myanmar | 1,643 | Assam Rifles |
| Bhutan | 699 | Sashastra Seema Bal |
| Afghanistan | 106 | (area under Pakistan’s control) |
Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Border Management.
The coastline was re-measured in 2024 at 11,098.81 km, up from the old figure of 7,516.6 km, using a new method that counts the high-water line and 1,298 offshore islands. The Navy, the Coast Guard and State marine police guard the sea.
Mains 2013 asked: How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar? Closely: militants, arms, drugs, fake currency and illegal migrants enter across porous borders. Mains 2016 said border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Strategies: ‘one border, one force’, smart fencing, border roads, cooperation with friendly neighbours and the welfare of border people.
How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?
Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.
Border by border
Mains 2024 said India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan, fraught with contentious issues. China: an undefined Line of Actual Control, clashes such as Galwan (2020) and Chinese villages near the border. Pakistan: the LoC, infiltration, tunnels and drones. Development: the Border Area Development Programme (from 1986-87) builds roads, schools and health centres in border blocks; the Border Infrastructure and Management scheme funds fencing, flood-lighting, roads and border outposts; the Vibrant Villages Programme (2023) targets villages on the northern border.
India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan, fraught with contentious issues. Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development being undertaken in these areas under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme.
Mains 2020 asked candidates to analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Bangladesh: cattle and fake-currency smuggling and illegal migration; Pakistan: infiltration, narcotics and drone drops; Myanmar: insurgent camps, drugs and arms. Mains 2019 said cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India; others are drug and arms flows and refugees after the 2021 Myanmar coup. In 2024 the government decided to end the Free Movement Regime (16 km) and fence the whole Myanmar border.
Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard.
Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also, discuss the steps to counter the challenges.
Mains 2014 asked: How does illegal transborder migration pose a threat to India’s security? It changes the population mix of border districts, strains jobs and land, creates fake documents and can be used by criminals and extremists. Push factors: poverty, climate disasters and persecution; pull factors: jobs and kin networks. Strategies: fencing gaps, biometric identity, work permits and diplomacy.
How does illegal transborder migration pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bringing out the factors which give impetus to such migration.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Border Management.
- The Navy, the Coast Guard and State marine police guard the sea.
- Likely next angle: Coastline 11,098.81 km
- Asked: Mains 2013 (GS Paper III, 10 marks): How far are India's internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?
Practice
Prelims PYQs on this topic (1)
Consider the following countries :
- 1. Bulgaria
- 2. Czech Republic
- 3. Hungary
- 4. Latvia
- 5. Lithuania
- 6. Romania
How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?
Answer (a) & explanation
Two of the countries border Ukraine (a). Ukraine shares land borders with Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. From this list only Hungary (item 3) and Romania (item 6) qualify. Item 1 is wrong: Bulgaria lies across the Black Sea, with Romania in between. Item 2 is wrong: the Czech Republic is cut off by Slovakia and Poland. Items 4 and 5 are wrong: Latvia and Lithuania are Baltic states, separated from Ukraine by Belarus.
Notice the war's geography: Odesa port, the Danube grain route through Romania, and the Black Sea grain corridor. Moldova's breakaway Transnistria region, with Russian troops, borders Ukraine too.
Slovakia is a neighbour of Ukraine, and the Czech Republic is listed in its place.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Border Management with one recent example.
Flashcards (13)
Longest land border?
Bangladesh, 4,096.7 km.
China border length?
3,488 km.
Myanmar border guard?
Assam Rifles.
Nepal and Bhutan guard?
Sashastra Seema Bal.
China border guard?
ITBP.
Revised coastline?
11,098.81 km.
Old coastline figure?
7,516.6 km.
BADP began?
1986-87.
Vibrant Villages Programme?
2023, northern border.
Galwan clash?
2020.
FMR depth?
16 km.
FMR scrapping decided?
2024.
Smart fencing system?
CIBMS.
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