Question : BORDER PATROLLING

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to improve the border patrolling and also initiated any steps on bilateral boundary coordination mechanism; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) & (b): To improve the border patrolling the Government has taken various steps such as deployment of additional Border Guarding Forces, creation of Border Infrastructure such as roads, fencing, floodlighting, Border Out Posts (BOPs) for operational use by the Border Guarding Forces, keeping round-the-clock surveillance, provision of hi-tech surveillance equipment; upgradation of intelligence set-up and coordination with the State Governments and concerned intelligence agencies. In addition, motor boats, specialized water craft and floating BOPs are provided to the Border Guarding Forces for effective patrolling in the riverine portions of the International Borders.

In addition to above the Government has taken following steps to establish bilateral boundary coordination mechanism with neighbouring countries:

I) The India-Nepal border is an open border, which allows free movement of nationals of both the countries. The Government of India jointly with the Government of Nepal has undertaken the task of demarcation of the boundary in a scientific and technical manner through a Joint Technical Committee (JTC). This exercise has been completed for almost 98% of the India-Nepal boundary. The two sides have also agreed to establish a Boundary Working Group for the maintenance of border pillars in the identified sectors and to identify the India-Nepal boundary in the remaining sectors.

II) Under the Shimla Agreement, the Government is committed to resolving all issues with Pakistan through peaceful negotiations and bilateral dialogue.

III) In 2003, India and China agreed to each appoint a Special Representative to explore from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship the framework for a boundary settlement. There have been sixteen meetings of the Special Representatives so far, the last in June 2013. An “Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question” was signed between India and China on April 11, 2005. At present the two Special Representatives are exploring the framework for a settlement covering all sectors of the boundary.

IV) During the State visit of the Prime Minister to Bangladesh in September 2011, a “Protocol to the Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Bangladesh Concerning the Demarcation of the Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh and Related Matters (LBA)” was signed. It settles the long outstanding land boundary issues including the territories in adverse possession, among others. The competent authority has, on 13th February, 2013, approved the draft of a Constitution (Amendment) Bill for implementing the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) 1974 and the Protocol to LBA signed in 2011.

Government remains continuously vigilant and is firm in its resolve to take all necessary steps to effectively safeguard India’s security and territorial integrity.