Rijiju pitches for revisiting border management policies

New Delhi: Aiming at more 'secured borders', Minister of State, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kiren Rijiju pitched for better coordination of border management policies by revisiting the coordination and collaboration among diverse government security agencies and stakeholders on Monday.

Addressing the first session of the two-day conference on 'Smart Border Management' here at FICCI, Rijiju said, "It is imperative that border areas are as developed as the hinterland of the nation and a rational outlook is needed for this."

The minister said that India has isolated its border areas, and restricted civilian movement and commerce, whereas, other countries exhibit their might by projecting their border areas as active by settling civilians and engaging them in trade and commercial activities.

"Border areas of these countries are well-connected, complete with basic amenities and telecom services," he added further.

Alluding the 'under-developed' border management policies, the minister pointed out the involvement of multiple agencies and it sometimes result into delay in implementation of policies and adoption of technology, he said.

However, Rijiju also claimed that the incumbent government is working on the betterment of security measure and infrastructure in border areas. "Sealing the Indian border with Pakistan using smart technology-aided fence will be in place by December next year."

At the same time the minister also asserted that, India also believes that borders are not for dividing people but for bringing them together and engaging in trade and commercial activities for bringing prosperity.

On marine police, Rijiju avouched that the government is working towards strengthening marine police to secure India's long coastal borders.

"To make India's border management system robust, secure and well-guarded, it is essential to have seamless coordination between policy makers and defence and security agencies," he mentioned.