Introduction

Indian states Assam, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram, share a border with Bangladesh. The border area is composed of various riverine belts, plains, hills, and forests. Being an agricultural land, this area is densely populated. 

Issues 

• Random boundary at some places: the border security forces of both countries face challenges due to under-marketed boundaries, adverse possessions and topographic barriers. 

• Illegal cattle trade: Illegal cattle trade at India Bangladesh border threatens the security of India Bangladesh border as well as jeopardies India’s internal security. 
• Illegal immigration: Religious persecution and environmental concerns have led to mass-scale migration in India, sometimes illegal. Porosity at some places across the border is the main reason behind illegal migration across the border; that is a contentious issue. 

Key Initiatives to Deal Challenges and Way Ahead 

• The Indian government has authorised the construction of a floodplain to prevent illegal immigration and illegal activities from across the border. 

• Under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), the Indian Government has taken few initiatives for those areas where physical fencing is not a viable option. 

• CIBMS integrates people, networks, sensors, information, and command & control solutions to develop an awareness of the situation at various levels of positions, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making and responsiveness in developing situations. 

• Transfer of enclaves: with land boundary agreements between India and Bangladesh, the problem of enclaves is somewhat simplified; there still remain issues on under-marketed stretches which need to be resolved. 
• Exercise SAMPRITI-IX: Military exercise between Bangladesh and India in which troops of both armies will jointly exercise a counter-terrorist operation. 
• Integrated check post: more integrated check posts had to be set up, and their functions will include security, immigration, customs, human, plant and animal quarantine, along with support facilities in a single complex equipped with all modern amenities.