Securing india's borders

Book Review

Securing India's borders: challenges and policy options

Title of Book

 

Securing India's borders : challenges and policy options

Author

 

Gautam Das

Publication

 

 

Pentagon Press, New Delhi

Subject

 

Border security of India

Language

 

English

ISBN

 

·         978-81-8274-532-2

 

Price

 

INR 495/-

Pages

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

v About Author-

Gautam Das, he was an ex- army personal who serve in the Indian Army from 1968 to 1991. He was an infantry officer of the 11th Gorkha Rifles, he has served on all of India’s major borders in regimental service with his own battalion, as well as with the Assam Rifles and the Special Frontier Force. He has also dealt with both border defence and border management on the General Staff of an infantry division, an Army Corps, and a regional Command HQ in widely-separated parts of the country. After a glorious military carrier he start to second inning as author he wrote such notable books like-

1.    Unlearned lessons: an appraisal of india’s military mishaps

2.    China, Tibet, India, the 1962 war and strategic military future.

3.    Sri Lanka misadventure: indias military peace keeping campaign 1987 – 1990

4.    Securing India's borders : challenges and policy options

5.    Understanding the Sino-Indian War, 1962

And others.

 

v Gist of the book -

The book completely dedicated to the border security of India in all directions. To the lay mind, ‘defending the territorial integrity of the country’ which is the Indian Army’s primary role, equates to ‘defending the border’. To the defense professional in the armed forces, this is not exactly so, since physically defending the border itself is but one part of a strategic defensive posture. Nevertheless, the physical safeguarding and defense of the borders is an extremely important and emotive part of the role and tasks of the armed forces. Potential threats to the country’s sovereignty from beyond its periphery are always evolving, and with the increasing sophistication and capability of non-state actors to attack targets in India, the threats are not merely confined to the border zone or region. Understanding the mutation of these threats, as part of a larger canvas of threat potential, necessary for the concerned layman and defense professional alike, so as to organize the requisite safeguards. This study examines the evolution and basic organization of the present system against the current potential threat scenario, and goes on to propose some changes and re-organization to enhance and optimize the Indian state’s ability to adequately protect its borders.

 

 

 

v Analysis-

It is a well studied book by Mr. Gautam Das. He fragmented this book in two parts i.e. Part I : Borders and  Part II : Forces.

In first part he started with second chapter with name “The Sino-Indian Border” in this chapter he starts with Sino- Indian border war threat. Within discussion he focus on various issues between India and china  like war of 1962, china’s claim on Arunachal Pradesh, India’s 1998 – Pokhran nuclear test and china, nuke policy of both nations, as well as he had separate title for Defensive options which includes all bordering  states with china i.e. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim,  Arunachal Pradesh. He discuss actual situation of ground within respective states. Along with this he discuss about Peace- time requirement, what is the peace time security problem and  how our forces deals with that he try to mention it in brief.

Third chapter is dedicated to “the Indo – Pakistan Borders” he wrote almost 14 pages for this most burning border. In this chapter he start with Pakistan’s “strategic Defiance” against India.“Strategic Defiance” is a term coin by Gen. Mirza Aslam Beg; it is an emotive phrase to describe Pakistan’s Peace time activities against India, which can be said to be that countries present standard operating policy. The entire spectrum of hostile activities in what may be term “Cold Peace” conditions constitutes the peace-time range of action directed against India. It includes use of it’s so-called “strategic assets”: the various fundamentalist Islamic terrorist Jihadi groups. He also talk about various aspects of proxy war which was impose by Pakistan on India. Author called it “New Generation Warfare” which was completely depends on deterrence. Afterwards he discuss about cross-border attacks by Non-state actors and “swarming” tactics in this point author discuss about a whole activities which was backed by Pakistan like 26/11 Mumbai attack. The simplest tactical method for use by non-military armed group with ample manpower is that of “Swarming”. Author gave an interesting information about war of 1965 between India and Pakistan. With respective to Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat border.

In 4^th chapter author focused on India’s less-threatened borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan. In Indo – Bangladesh border issue he start with “Enclaves” which was already solve by New Delhi and Dhaka. then he Express his thoughts  about military requirements, peace time requirements with concern to all related states i.e. West Bengal, Dhubri and Cachar District of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. After Bangladesh border author mentioned undisputed Myanmar border who shares 1643 K.M. International border with India. Aswell as Nepal border of 1751 km and indo – Bhutan border of 700 km. Within the discussion of both borders author mention Peace – time requirement, Maoist link to India’s Red corridor, the madarssa Phenomena in Nepal, operation Bajrang and Operation Rhino in Bhutan.

India’s Maritime Borders is the name of 5^th chapter. India has 7516.6 kms long coastline author had a serious talk about India’s coastal security requirements. Coastal area is a vulnerable area ever since independence and withdrawn of Britain’s royal navy from the Indian ocean region. Coastal security had been a neglected area until the country was rudely awakened by the well planned Mumbai terror attack of 26/11. As well as he write about various aspects of coastal security.

The second part of book named “FORCES” initiated with chapter no. 6 with name “The Army’s Role And Budgetary Allocations” after a brief history of Indian forces author write about Indian borders with neighbouring countries. According to ministry of defence India share borders with as above- Myanmar (1643 km), china (4065 Kms LAC-3460 Kms), Bangladesh (4351 Kms), Bhutan (699 Kms), Nepal (1751Kms), Pakistan – (3244 Kms). In title “historical evolution of the border security system” author evaluate the up gradation of Indian security forces as per any incidence happens as well as he discuss about- military protection options for borders, national defence mindset and policy, army’s role: perception and realities, strategic threat assessment and its budgetary support within this chapter.

Second last chapter of this book is “A Second Line Of Defence” the armed forces of India called as a “First Line Of Defence” and the other border- Guarding Forces and central forces called as “the second Line Of Defence” which includes The Territorial Army(TA), The Special Frontier Force(SFF), The Border Security Forces(BSF), The Indo Tibetan Border Police(ITBP) The Assam Rifles (AR), The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), The National Cadet Crops (NCC) etc. Author discuss about their historical background, role what they have played, their importance.

  Eighth chapter was conclusion of the book in conclusion author told that the present system of border defence and border management has many strengths but some weaknesses as well. It is restricted by the national foreign policy not allowing  a more effective military policy for defending the borders. As well as he discuss the basics of some of the issues, as a representative sample, those are - legal problems related to illegal immigrants, legal / administrative problems of jurisdiction of BFG, Economic and household necessities of the locals, lack of a proper identification system for Indian nationals, differing stipulations for bailable and non – bailable trans – border offences etc.

 

 

 

v Comments-

Ø  Gautam das was an army officer himself. He serve almost 23 years in Indian army hence he has a lots of observations which was seen within this book.

Ø  Author discuss various borders of India, what problems they have seen, peace time requirements.

Ø  Within every chapter they elaborate various issue related terminology very good form and easy language like NGW (New Generation Warfare).

Ø  Author added “as it is ” quotes from actual eye witness. Eg. In second chapter he added Writings of Maj. Gen. Sukhwant Singh. Which increased reliability, and curiosity of the book.

Ø  After end of every chapter he conclude the issue with practically possible solutions. Which may guideline for government regarding the issue.

Ø  In this book may be author under estimate the importance of ‘ security of India’s maritime borders’   he try to raise a point in fifth chapter but it was not full filled. After ‘Mumbai terror attack of 26/11’ the importance of maritime security was highly increased but he did not focused it.

- Akshay Prakash Neve.