Speaking on the same, Ajai Singh, Inspector General, BSF North Bengal Frontier, told ANI, “Under the Low-Cost Technology Solution (LCTS) project, we have already started replacing ‘Anti Cut-Anti Climb’ fencing with the existing fencing along the 110 km unfenced portion of the border with Bangladesh in North Bengal. We have already covered 20 km and more will be covered shortly”.

Further outlining the efficiency of the fencing, he said that it cannot be cut easily and one cannot climb over it. “It has a longer life and is economically better which provides better security. This will make our forces more confident. It will cover the unfenced area of the borders as well”, he added.

Meanwhile, India shares a total of 4,096 km border area with Bangladesh out of which West Bengal alone shares 2,216 km. While the North Bengal frontier shares 950 km of the border, out of it 110 km is still unfenced. Apart from the Indo-Bangladesh border, attempts are also being made to replace the old fencing with the latest fencing at the India-Pakistan border as well. Earlier in 2019, two pilot projects covering 71 km on the India-Pakistan border (10 km) and India-Bangladesh border (61 km) were initiated under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS).

In view of illegal activities and infiltration, the North Bengal frontier of the Border Security Force has been drawing up plans for keeping up vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border by installing anti-climb and anti-cut wires fencing and other gadgets to prevent any kind any illegal movements.

Speaking on the same, IG NB frontier of the BSF told media on Tuesday that an amount of Rs 18 crores has been sanctioned by the central government for installations of equipment which will help in covering an unfenced area of the India-Bangladesh border in North Bengal and necessary work has also been initiated in the regard. Apart from that, equipment like night vision cameras, infrared cameras, variants of the CCTV cameras with high mast light towers among others will be installed in the border regions.

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Provisions of China’s New Border Law

This law points out major focus areas in border management.  It is a “… new law on protection and exploitation of country’s land border” as reported by Xinhua news.

1. To Safeguard Territory At Any Cost

The law puts the responsibility for border management on the Chinese military and military police. It states that the forces can take any measure to safeguard territorial integrity. Thus, is tries to justify any aggressive military action taken by China under the name of safeguarding territorial integrity.

2. Combining Military Defence of Land Border With Social And Economic Development

The law formalises the process of combining military defence with the social and economic development of the border areas. It aims to “strengthen PLA’s policy to work closely with civilians staying in border areas. These areas include Tibetan villages bordering India and Bhutan.

It actually tries to cover China’s attempts to put forward local civilians as their first line of defence. This is because of the already known difficulties that are being faced by Chinese troops in this terrain.

3. Powers To Close And Open Borders

The law authorises forces to block borders against any potential threat. As per the reports, the law allows creating blockades and using “police apparatus and weapons against illegal crosses”. It is aimed at checking “illegal crossers”.

The biggest reason behind this anti-infiltration move is the fear of spill over effect from Taliban controlled Afghanistan. Afghanistan has once again become a hotbed for radical Islamist ideology and terrorism. China doesn’t want these to enter its territory especially the Xinjiang province which shares a border with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Another reason can be checking the spread of Covid-19 from South-East Asia into China. What can be more ironic than the country that itself originated this pandemic is putting barricades against it?

4. Upgrading Border Infrastructure

China has built a vast network of road, rail and air transport in border areas. This law brings a renewed focus on infrastructure development. It also aims to upgrade is border villages. China has already established more than 600 such villages in Tibet.

General Officer commanding of eastern command of Indian Army recently stated that China is establishing such “dual villages” in border areas. These can act as military bases for China in times of war. The law talks about states nurture and improves their “supporting capacity”. This clearly shows that these villages are actually Chinese military camps under the disguise of a civilian settlement.

5. Resolving Border Disputes

The new law says that long-standing border disputes will be resolved through negotiations. The principles of “equality, mutual trust and friendly consultations” would be followed.

The real Chinese intentions are exactly the opposite especially with respect to borders with India and Bhutan. China has signed border agreements with most of its neighbours except India and Bhutan. The Doklam standoff in 2017 and the ongoing standoff in Ladakh since last year shows that China wants to settle these borders with the use of force and not through negotiations.

Impact On India

The timing of this law is important. It came within two weeks of breaking down of 13th round of corps commander level talks. Thus, it is another attempt to blame India and show Chinese “sincerity” towards solving border dispute.

The law also shown China’s growing aggression. China has given extensive powers to its forces. It is also accelerating use of civilians and civil infrastructure for military use which is a cause of concern.

As per some observers, the law formalises China’s recent actions on disputed territories with India and Bhutan. As we discussed above, China is yet to finalise border agreements with these two nations. Thus, it can be a new step by China to solve these disputes the way it wants.

According to India’s former ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale the law will not change the realities on the ground. The law has a lot of verbiage and a lot of hot air.

When it comes to infrastructure development, social and economic development, India has the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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