The Union Home Ministry has stressed that border management along frontiers with Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar should be emphasized as seriously as those along the borders with China and Pakistan.
Border guarding forces like Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Assam Rifles have been asked to hold meetings with Union Home Secretary Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) to identify technological solutions for improved border management. The decision was taken by Union Home Ministry Amit Shah on April 2 to review the progress of the recommendations made during his meeting with the border guarding forces late last year, officials said.
The move assumes significance as the frontiers along Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar are considered friendly. Strengthening border management on the alignment with these countries could be seen in the backdrop of either China’s footprint in these countries or Beijing’s likely intent to provoke them in order to reduce Indian influence in the region.
In the backdrop of Doklam faceoff and Chinese designs, Shah was alerted and in a farsighted move sought prompt strengthening of border guarding mechanism, officials added.
