Q.19. India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan fought 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 Programe (BAPD) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) scheme. [UPSC 2024 GS P-3]

India’s borders with China and Pakistan are long, complex, and fraught with security challenges and contentious issues. The nature of the conflicts differs on both fronts, leading to ongoing tensions and a significant military presence. Below is an examination of the conflicting issues, security challenges, and the development initiatives in border areas through government programs like the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) scheme.

Conflicting Issues and Security Challenges along the India-China and India-Pakistan Borders

India-China Border

1. Border Disputes:
   • The India-China border spans over 3,488 km, mostly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which remains undefined and disputed.
   • The key contentious areas include Aksai Chin (occupied by China but claimed by India), parts of Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh (claimed by China as “South Tibet”), and several locations along the LAC such as Pangong Tso, Depsang Plains, and Galwan Valley.
2. Security Challenges:
   • Frequent Border Skirmishes: Tensions along the LAC have led to confrontations, notably the Doklam standoff (2017) and the Galwan Valley clash (2020), where soldiers on both sides lost lives.
   • Infrastructure Development Race: Both nations are engaged in infrastructure development along the border, which increases military mobilization capacities and the risk of escalation.
   • Strategic Competition: China’s strategic influence in regions like the Indian Ocean and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), poses security risks for India.

India-Pakistan Border

1. Border Disputes:
   • The India-Pakistan border (around 3,323 km long) is contentious, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, where both countries claim the entire region but control parts of it.
   • The border in Kashmir is marked by the Line of Control (LoC), a de facto boundary that has witnessed numerous military engagements since 1947.
2. Security Challenges:
   • Cross-border Terrorism: Pakistan has been accused of supporting terrorist organizations that infiltrate into India, especially in Jammu & Kashmir, leading to security concerns.
   • Frequent Ceasefire Violations: The LoC sees regular ceasefire violations, causing military casualties and civilian displacement.
   • Infiltration Attempts: Pakistan-based militant groups frequently attempt to infiltrate the border into Indian territory, leading to heightened security and military operations.
   • Nuclear Dimension: Both India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed states, adding a level of strategic risk to the ongoing tensions.

Development Under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP)

The Border Area Development Programme (BADP) is aimed at promoting infrastructure development and improving the socio-economic conditions of people living in remote and vulnerable border areas. The key features of the BADP include:

1. Infrastructure Development:
   • BADP focuses on building essential infrastructure like roads, schools, health centers, and drinking water facilities in border areas.
   • It ensures the construction of border roads to improve connectivity for civilian populations and provide better mobility for security forces.
2. Civic Amenities:
   • The program provides basic amenities such as housing, electrification, sanitation, and water supply in border villages.
   • It helps create community centers, skill development institutes, and sports facilities to enhance the quality of life for the local population.
3. Livelihood and Skill Development:
   • BADP encourages livelihood initiatives such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and handicrafts to economically empower local populations.
   • It focuses on skill development programs to enhance employability in remote border regions, ensuring local economic resilience.
4. Welfare and Security Initiatives:
   • BADP includes the construction of bunkers for civilian protection during cross-border firing, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir along the Pakistan border.
   • It supports the construction of health and educational infrastructure to address the welfare needs of border communities.

Development Under the Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme

The Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme complements BADP by focusing on enhancing the security apparatus and infrastructure along India’s borders. Key features include:

1. Border Fencing:
   • BIM aims to improve border fencing along India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh to prevent illegal infiltration, cross-border terrorism, and smuggling.
   • Advanced technologies like laser walls and smart fencing are being deployed to enhance surveillance capabilities along difficult terrain and unfenced border areas.
2. Border Roads and Bridges:
   • The BIM scheme focuses on the construction of strategic border roads and bridges to improve access for the military and border security forces.
   • The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) plays a crucial role in building infrastructure in high-altitude and difficult terrains, such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, to ensure quicker deployment of troops and supplies.
3. Integrated Check Posts (ICPs):
   • BIM promotes the establishment of Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) to streamline cross-border trade and immigration processes while enhancing security.
   • These ICPs are equipped with advanced surveillance technologies, customs clearance facilities, and immigration checks to improve border management.
4. Technological Upgradation:
   • The BIM scheme encourages the use of drones, sensors, radars, and satellite-based monitoring systems to enhance the surveillance and detection of unauthorized cross-border activities.
   • The Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) is a key project under BIM, focusing on the use of high-tech solutions for round-the-clock monitoring.

Conclusion

India’s borders with China and Pakistan present significant challenges due to territorial disputes, frequent skirmishes, and security concerns such as cross-border terrorism. The Indian government has developed strategies like the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and the Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) scheme to address both developmental and security challenges. While BADP enhances socio-economic infrastructure for border communities, BIM strengthens the security apparatus, ensuring better surveillance and defense capabilities along critical border regions. These efforts are essential in maintaining both national security and the well-being of people living in vulnerable border areas.