India–Bangladesh Border Governance
| Author | Sanjay K. Bhardwaj |
| DOI | 10.1177/0020881716654387 |
| Published date | 01 January 2013 |
| Date | 01 January 2013 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
India–Bangladesh Border
Governance: Issues and
Challenges
Sanjay K. Bhardwaj1
Abstract
All Westphalian states have a right to demarcate and defend their borders in
attempt to protect their sovereignty and territoriality. However, there is a signifi-
cant variation in border control priorities. Military defence and economic regula-
tions have traditionally been central border concerns, but due to the problems
of trans-national migration, infiltration, terrorism and insurgencies, many of the
states are re-tooling and reconfiguring their border regulatory apparatus. The
complex nature of the India–Bangladesh border and its regulation/management
has always been vital for both states. Nevertheless, the new definitions of security,
emphasizing human security, combined with the forces of globalization have led to
restructuring of the traditional notion of border management in the recent past.
In delivery, the policies of promoting border trade, market, joint ventures and
business-related infrastructure have become the priorities of the governments
which will improve the Human Development Index and employability among the
borderland people. Linkages between internal security and the regional secu-
rity environment have made the border vital for the national security strategy.
However, this has vitiated the environment and impeded the emergence of cor-
dial and development-oriented India–Bangladesh relations.
Keywords
Border Management, India, Bangladesh, National Security, Migration, Trafficking,
Border Fencing, Agreement
Introduction
In order to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, India, like all other
states, aspires to have proper demarcation and protection of its borders.1 Due to its
Article
International Studies
50(1&2) 109–129
2016 Jawahalal Nehru University
SAGE Publications
sagepub.in/home.nav
DOI: 10.1177/0020881716654387
http://isq.sagepub.com
1 Professor, South Asian Studies, School of International Studies, and Director Energy Study Programme,
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
Corresponding author:
Sanjay K. Bhardwaj, Professor, South Asian Studies, School of International Studies, and Director Energy
Study Programme, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
E-mail: drsbhardwaj@gmail.com
110 International Studies 50(1&2)
central geographic location in the region, the country shares its borders with most
of the states of South Asia. The ‘hot’ to ‘tepid’ border faces severe security threats.
Incessant illegal migration sometimes related violent conflicts; human, drugs and
arms trafficking; cross border movement of undesirables termed by Peter Andreas
(2003) as ‘clandestine transnational actors’ (CTAs);2 and economic offenders
including the Indian fake currency (IFC) swindlers are considered among the
most frightening security threats. Thus, border management has become one of
the most serious challenges in South Asia. The policing objective of a state is to
deny territorial access to undesirable CTAs. In execution, the role of state has
remained profoundly cohesive while the causes of human insecurity and develop-
ment driven borderland policies remain unaddressed.
India and Bangladesh have very close socio-cultural, linguistic and racial
affinities which evolve from a common historical legacy and geographical prox-
imity. India shares its longest land border (more than 4000 km) with Bangladesh,
which is porous in nature. The partition of British India in 1947 divided the east-
ern territory between India and erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) without
considering the ground realities and people’s socio-economic needs.3 On this
ruthlessly demarcated land boundary, the poor people, mostly from Bangladesh
are hitherto bound to cross the border in search of socio-economic security and
become victims of policing practices of border security agencies. Resultantly, the
cross-border skirmishes and killings between or by the border security agencies
have become regular phenomena. All these have not only spoiled the domestic
environment but have also developed a deep mistrust among the neighbours.
Nevertheless, the demand of self-determination by the separatists and insurgent
groups with the support of external actors has made the question of border secu-
rity even more complex.
In fact, the state today straddles the two ends of the security spectrum: one
underlines the military dimension while the other urges human security with
almost no or limited use of military force. With the forces of globalization and
liberalization, the post-Cold War era has emphasized upon a newly emerged defi-
nition of security, that is, human security. The Human Development Report 1994
(UNDP, 1994, pp. 22–44) stresses that security will be equated with the ‘security
of individuals, not just security of territory’ (Haq, 1995). Further, UNDP has
urged that the concept of security must be emphasized in two ways: from an
exclusive stress on territorial security to a much greater stress on people’s secu-
rity; and from security through armaments to security through sustainable human
development. Hence, human security pertains to the safety and well-being of ‘all
the people everywhere’ (Haq, 1995). Focusing upon two major components;
‘freedom from fear’ and ‘freedom from want’, the Canadian and Japanese
(Axworthy, 1997; Ryokichi, 2000) relate human security to the protection of the
individual’s personal safety and freedom from direct and indirect forms of threat.
The promotion of human development and good governance, and, when neces-
sary, the collective use of sanctions and force, are central to achieving human
security.
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