Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border

The various challenges currently emanating from across the India-Myanmar border are the following: • Disputed areas: The tri-junction of India-MyanmarChina 

• Difficult terrain, resulting in lack of infrastructure: As a result, the border area remains sparsely populated with depressed economic development. It also affects policing as they hamper the easy and rapid mobilisation of the border guarding forces along the border. 

• Trafficking of drugs, humans, smuggling of gold, weapons, ammunitions etc. 

• Golden Triangle– Thailand, Myanmar, Laos drugs are smuggled overland through the India-Myanmar border with the help of China and Arakanese insurgents.

•Nexus between terrorism and organised crime 

• Refugee influx through insecure borders E.g.: Rohingya migrants’ influx from Myanmar. 

• Separatist movements and terrorism: National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang (NSCN-K) and Meitei insurgent groups enter Myanmar from Indian north-east, then they rest, recoup, train, plan and launch future offensives, and take shelter when pursued by the Indian security forces. 

• The free movement regime: FMR has become a cause of concern for the security establishment as its provisions are exploited by the Indian insurgents to cross over to Myanmar without any restrictions and establish safe havens. 

Steps to counter the challenges 

•Techniques of effective border management as suggested by Madhav Godbole Taskforce, 2001. 

•Joint military exercises between the two countries. 

•Confidence building measures are needed to be taken. 

•Border fencing and erecting floodlights 

•Creating effective border outposts 

•Developing infrastructure in the region 

•Step-up infrastructure development, like roads through bilateral, multi-lateral mechanism e.g. India – Myanmar – Thailand (IMT) highway, Kaladan multi-modal transport project. 

•Co-operation at regional level through organisations like BIMSTEC 

•Effective patrolling 

•Building of integrated check posts 

•Equipping the security forces with night vision goggles. 

•Installation of CCTV and thermal imaging equipment. 

•Increase people to people contact 

India and Myanmar should involve themselves in regular deliberation to increase mutual trust between them. Co-operation in other areas like economy, energy, science and technology, space, defence, education, culture must be enhanced to establish a peaceful border.