Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
6. Although managing such a diversified border is difficult, it is essential for ensuring national security. Examine the various challenges that must be overcome in order to secure India’s land borders. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
India’s land borders are unique in many ways. India has a 3,325 km border with Pakistan, 3,488 km with China, 1,770 km with Nepal, 662 km with Bhutan, 1,643 km with Myanmar, and the largest land border of 4,340 km with Bangladesh.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the challenges of border management and the strategies India has employed to tackle such challenges.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by highlighting that India shares borders with several countries, a few of those countries don’t share good relations with India making the task of border management challenging.
Body:
First, Discuss the challenges with respect to border security – non-demarcated boundaries with overlapping, Unilateral actions by some nations to change the status quo in their favour, Misuse of borders (especially porous open borders) for smuggling, illegal migration, etc, Little or no support from counterparts of neighbouring nations and in some cases active support by cross border elements to illegal activities etc.
Mention the various steps taken by India to address these issues and for effective management of its borders.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the need of effective border management strategy.
