India–Bangladesh Border Governance

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 significant variation in border control priorities. Military defence and economic regulations 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 security environment have made the border vital for the national security strategy. However, this has vitiated the environment and impeded the emergence of cordial and development-oriented India–Bangladesh relations.