GS3 PYQs (Mains Answer Writing): Border management | UPSC Mains: Internal Security & Disaster Management PDF Download

Q1: 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. (Answer in 250 words)

Ans: Introduction
India’s borders with China and Pakistan face persistent historical disputes and security threats.
India’s Borders with China and Pakistan
The India-China border, or Line of Actual Control (LAC), extends about 3,440 km. The India-Pakistan border, known as the Line of Control (LoC), spans roughly 740 km.
Conflicting Issues and Security Challenges

• Chinese Front: The undefined LAC leads to frequent tensions, including the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and 2017 Doklam standoff. Infrastructure competition along the LAC heightens disputes. Smuggling of Chinese electronics and goods is prevalent across these border points.
• Pakistan Front: The LoC faces regular violations through cross-border shelling and militant infiltrations. The 2019 Pulwama attack and Balakot airstrike highlight the volatile situation. Pakistan claims the entire Sir Creek, including its eastern bank, based on a 1914 map.

Border Area Development Programme (BADP)

• BADP focuses on improving infrastructure and living standards in border regions through projects like roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, boosting both security and socio-economic growth. 
  Example: 40 km Karcham-Chitkul Road via Sangla in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, near the China border.

Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme

• BIM supports border security through infrastructure like fences, floodlights, roads, technological solutions, Border Outposts (BOPs), and company operating bases along borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. India plans 383 composite BOPs along the India-Bangladesh border and 126 along the India-Pakistan border.

Conclusion
Through BADP and BIM, India strengthens border security while promoting development in these regions, adopting a balanced approach to effective border management.

Q2: The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.
​Ans: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a remotely piloted or self-piloted aircraft capable of carrying various payloads, including cameras, sensors, communications equipment, or arms/ammunitions. This technology poses a significant threat to internal security and can be utilized by adversaries across the border.

Cause of concern:

• Ability to fly at high altitudes and low speeds, making detection and interception challenging for border security forces.
• Remote control capability allows operation from a safe distance, minimizing risks to human operatives during infiltration attempts.
• Potential use for espionage, enabling unauthorized individuals to gather sensitive information about military installations, critical infrastructure, and other key targets.

Measures taken by the Indian government to tackle threats:

• Technological Upgradation: Deployment of anti-drone weapons and detection systems, including radars and jammers. Examples include anti-drone systems like the SkyWall 100 and the DroneGun Tactical CHIMERA anti-drone system, developed using French technology.

• Military Intelligence: Continuous surveillance by the BSF through patrolling, checkpoints, observation posts, border fencing, and floodlights.

• Institutional: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established the Anti Rogue Drone Technology Committee (ARDTC) to evaluate technology for countering rogue drones.

• Governmental Collaboration: Actively collaborating with countries like Israel for advanced drone technology.

• DRDO Nishant: Primarily designed for intelligence-gathering, it is also utilized for reconnaissance, training, surveillance, target designation, artillery fire correction, and damage assessment.

• Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) strategy: Involves blocking communication lines and neutralizing unwanted drones.

With the advancement of technology, the threat to internal security increases. Therefore, a comprehensive drone strategy, including private participation in developing high-end drones, is the need of the hour.

Q3: 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.

Ans: India has a very large and complex border covering around 15106.7km, which it shares with Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan as well as small portion with Afghanistan. Challenges in the effective border management particular to some neighbours are: Varied Terrain: India-China Border as comprising of difficult Himalayan terrain that is reason for difficulty in border management. 

• Climatic Condition: Due to Himalayan polar condition, it is tough to guard border due to adverse climatic conditions. Ex: China, Pakistan Bitter relations with some of the neighbouring countries. Ex: Pakistan Porous nature of border with some countries that provides safe route to human traffickers, illegal arms dealers, drug smugglers etc. Ex: Myanmar Owing to such peculiarities, having infrastructure and technology does not alone suffice for effective border management. Following strategies can be adopted for effective border management. 
• Co-ordination among various agencies such as customs, immigration, armed forces, border security and intelligence agencies is required that will strengthen the border guarding and management. 
• Smart border management to identify and implement controls which aim to improve border security by enabling effective communication and coordination. Use of Drone, Night vision cameras, sensors to check the illegal migration, terrorist movement can help in effective border management. Border fencing along the border such as with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal can help in better border management. Coordination among neighbouring countries would also strengthen the measures taken for border management.