BORDER ISSUES

 

 

 

 

 

EVEN as the last decade saw growth of India’s comprehensive national power, some sticking points still make an adversarial impact on the country’s economic progress. National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval has articulated one of such points -- the undefined borders in the west and north -- while calling for integration of mechanisms for effective border security. The border disputes and resultant tensions have had a detrimental effect on the country’s stability. In turn, it has also hampered the economic progress of India as the security, diplomatic and political mechanisms are constantly engaged in securing the borders with China and Pakistan. Both the neighbours have been in the top gear in needling India and though the Indian security forces have stood up to the challenge with great valour, a need is also being felt to revisit the devices that were formed to settle border disputes. India’s border disputes with China and Pakistan have various shades with a strong imprint of political will or mostly lack of it. Every time it had to be covered with the bravery of security forces and things continue to remain the same even after changes at the Centre. India’s leadership has remained divided in its assessment of China’s expansionism along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

 

The Chinese disregard for McMohan Line was mostly ignored by the political leadership with a solemn hope that someday the Chinese leadership would see reason. It was a wishful thinking by the Indian leadership with limited shelf life. The Chinese reality has hit hard many times before and after 1962 dismantling the idealism-driven political thinking. It continued till the Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement signed in 1993 by then Prime Minister late Mr. Narasimha Rao but the Chinese transgressions have not stopped. However, there is a perceptible change in border security in the last few years ever since the Modi Government ramped up infrastructure along the LAC, especially after the Doka La imbroglio and the bloody clashes in Galwan. India showed tremendous tenacity to stand up to PLA incursions in the China-India-Bhutan trijunction and forced the Chinese leadership to pull back troops from the strategic point. The resolve India demonstrated in Doka La was a direct message to Beijing that New Delhi was unwilling to be browbeaten as it would stand up for its close ally Bhutan. Doka La had raised some hopes of peace and tranquility prevailing at the northern border but the myth was busted by the PLA aggression in Galwan. What the Galwan incident has told China and also Pakistan is that India has changed the rules of the game.

 

Development of infrastructure along the LAC and year-long deployment of forces in eastern Ladakh are the highlights of India’s changed stance towards the Chinese irritants. It also means the borders are going to be under constant threat. In this light what Mr. Doval has said is full of merit. The NSA hailed the role of the Border Security Force (BSF) but also stressed the importance of technology in border management. It is a tool that countries are exceedingly using to secure borders and with adversaries like a cunning China and its lackey Pakistan on prowl, relying solely on manpower would be insufficient. Technological advancements bring their own benefits and must be utilised in full force to deter further misadventures in the border regions.