Securing 15000 kilometres: Why the future of India’s borders lies in data, drones and digital surveillance

Smart Borders: Conecept image generated using AI

Effective border security and management around the world today is a complex and multi-dimensional challenge that requires carefully balancing national security against the need for facilitating legitimate trade and travel. Global trends show a shift from purely physical barriers to “smart borders”, integrating advanced technology to counter sophisticated threats, including illegal infiltration, smuggling and terrorism.

India’s land borders, at over 15,000 kms, are amongst the longest in the world. While the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh borders are physically fenced, other borders are unfenced and remain more vulnerable to illegal infiltration, smuggling, etc. India faces multifarious challenges in border security and management, which include cross-border terrorism, illegal infiltration, drugs and arms smuggling, undemarcated borders, and territorial disputes with some of its neighbours.

First, porous borders and difficult terrain, including dense forests along the Mynamar border, high mountains on the China and Pakistan borders and riverine areas along the Bangladesh border, make 24×7 surveillance difficult and challenging.

Secondly, our western border with Pakistan faces constant attempts at infiltration and cross-border terrorism. Illegal infiltration and cattle smuggling are major challenges along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Thirdly, drug smuggling through the porous borders remains a major challenge. Smuggling of drugs through drones flying from across the borders have also been reported in recent times.

Fourthly, unresolved border disputes with China have resulted in frequent military standoffs. Infrastructural deficiencies along the border, such as incomplete fencing, lack of all-weather roads and outdated surveillance tools may also hinder quick response times.

To address the challenges noted above, the best practices worldwide are evolving towards a “whole-of-government” and technology-based solutions to create “smart borders”. Border management today needs to go beyond physical infrastructure to integrate terrain, technology, and intelligence. On our borders, physical assets need to be combined with AI-enabled digital surveillance, data analytics, space-based assets, and real-time intelligence fusion to create integrated security systems. Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities need to be strengthened through AI cameras, smart fencing sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imageries, predictive analytics on legacy data, and GIS/ERP integration, enabling continuous detection, analysis, and response. Integrated Command and Control Centres with unified intelligent dashboards can enable this ecosystem to operate effectively. These systems would require very robust cybersecurity protocols to be put in place to protect the digital assets.

At the integrated check posts and authorised border crossing points, biometric identification can be implemented to prevent fraud. For cargo, full body truck scanners can be installed to detect any hidden contraband, arms, etc.

Secondly, institutional and strategic approaches are also important for ensuring integrated border management. These would involve focusing on interdepartmental cooperation and coordination amongst customs, immigration, border guarding forces and state government agencies to break functional silos and ensure real-time sharing of information and coordinated responses. International cooperation with the neighbouring countries for sharing intelligence and coordinating responses to any activities on the ground would also be helpful. However, this may not be always feasible with hostile neighbours. Involving the local border communities for creating a human intelligence network can also prove very useful in sourcing intelligence.

Thirdly, creating modern border infrastructure is extremely important for securing our borders. Both lateral and axial roads in the border areas, especially along the Indo-China border, need to be developed at a rapid pace to allow for easier movement and quick response by our border guarding forces. Recently approved schemes for building lateral and axial roads along the border in Punjab and Rajasthan and along the Indo-China border aim at addressing this infrastructure deficit along our borders.

Last, but not the least, developing the border villages is critical for border security. The Vibrant Villages Programme, now operational in all the bordering states and UTs, aims at improving village level infrastructure, connectivity and enhancing economic opportunities to reduce local susceptibility to criminal influence. It has already made an impact in the remote villages along the Indo-China border by reversing outmigration of the local population. In future, border management needs to shift from reactive border control to proactive and dynamic situational awareness, aligned with evolving threats and broader national security and resilience objectives. The greatest impact is expected from AI-enabled predictive and prescriptive threat assessment, integrated surveillance across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains, AI-assisted logistics and personnel deployment, and the use of AI-enabled robotics. We need to take advantage of this rapidly evolving technological landscape to secure our borders.

(The above article appeared in The Economic Times on June 18, 2026 and is available at: https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/blog/revolutionizing-indias-border-security-the-role-of-data-and-technology/131815508. The views are personal.)

AI Surveillance Useful In Monitoring Challenging Terrain, Detecting Real-Time Threats: Rajendra Kumar

Secretary (border management) says to be effective in securing and managing borders, stakeholders need to synergise efforts through tech-intensive surveillance.

Source: https://www.etvbharat.com/en/bharat/ai-surveillance-useful-in-monitoring-challenging-terrain-detecting-real-time-threats-rajendra-kumar-enn26021903615

By ETV Bharat English Team

Published : February 19, 2026 at 3:46 PM IST

By Gautam Debroy

New Delhi: Stating that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play an important role in transforming border management by enhancing and strengthening India’s ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) ecosystem, Rajendra Kumar, Secretary (Border Management), said on Thursday that technologies like AI-powered surveillance sensors, drones, etc. can be very useful in monitoring challenging terrain and detecting threats in real time.

“AI can also play an important role in resource optimisation and optimal deployment of our border guarding forces for effective management of border areas. By enabling faster, data-driven decisions, AI can significantly improve efficiency in managing complex border security challenges,” he said, in an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat.

When asked whether AI has been used in border management, Kumar said, “As these technologies are constantly evolving, various stakeholders managing the borders would need to synergise their efforts through tech-intensive surveillance to be effective in securing and managing our borders. The use cases for deploying AI in border management are also constantly evolving.”

AI For Defence

Kumar said AI can act as a critical force multiplier in national defence, by accelerating decision-making, enhancing surveillance, and optimising logistics.

“AI-powered systems can analyse vast amounts of satellite, drone, and sensor data, to detect border intrusions and identify threats in real time. In cybersecurity, AI can identify and mitigate threats faster than humans, securing critical infrastructure. AI can drive unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs) and robotic systems for high-risk reconnaissance, protecting personnel,” he said.

According to Kumar, AI can also enable predictive maintenance of military equipment, ensuring operational readiness. “Ultimately, AI increases battlefield intelligence, agility, and efficiency,” he said.

Improve Governance, Services, Last-Mile Delivery

The border management secretary also said that AI can improve governance, delivery of citizen-centric services and last mile delivery, by automating administrative tasks, using predictive analytics for data-driven policymaking and fostering transparency.

“Citizen-centric services can be improved via multilingual AI chatbots, personalised services in various domains like health and education, and faster, automated grievance redressal. For this, the government needs to develop a full AI stack, comprising AI compute infrastructure and models, which will enable various ministries and departments to quickly develop and deploy their own applications for various use cases. Together, these innovations can enhance public service delivery, making it more efficient and inclusive,” he said.

AI Summit A Showcase Of Whole-Of-Nation Approach

“I think hosting the India AI Impact Summit 2026 is a major achievement for the country, which will enhance its global leadership in digital and emerging technologies. It helps in bringing the focus sharply on ‘AI for Development’ and in prioritising tangible, population-scale solutions using AI,” said Kumar.

He said the summit showcases our unique “whole-of-nation” approach towards the development and deployment of AI, utilising Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to democratise technology and ensure equity in access.

“This initiative also helps bridge the global AI divide, showcasing how AI can drive sustainable growth and empower underserved communities,” Kumar said.

India A Leading AI User & Creator

According to Kumar, India is rapidly emerging as a leading AI user and creator, focusing on a ‘bottom-up’ approach through population-scale applications and DPI. “Ranked among the top three nations in the world in AI competitiveness, India is leveraging its massive talent pool and a rapidly growing start-up ecosystem, with over 30,000 AI-focused start-ups to drive innovation at scale. Its light-touch regulatory approach, combined with its rich and diverse data, positions it as a critical and unique player in the global AI landscape,” said Kumar.

To further develop India’s AI ecosystem, Kumar said we need to focus on boosting our sovereign AI capabilities and build localised, multilingual AI-driven solutions in diverse domains, such as healthcare, education, agriculture, logistics, etc.

(The above interview was published on February 19, 2026 on ETV Bharat. It is available at: https://www.etvbharat.com/en/bharat/ai-surveillance-useful-in-monitoring-challenging-terrain-detecting-real-time-threats-rajendra-kumar-enn26021903615)

Digital India 2.0: Digital Transformation for Viksit Bharat @2047

Digital Transformation and Economic Growth

Source: Generated using Meta AI by the author

Viksit Bharat @2047 aims to transform India into a developed nation by 2047. Broadly, the vision of Viksit Bharat can be divided into five key thematic areas: thriving and sustainable economy; empowering citizens; innovation, science and technology; good governance and security; and enhancing India’s global standing. As India has achieved remarkable success in digitalising its economy under the Digital India programme, can this programme be reimagined to leverage digital transformation in these areas to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat?

Digitalization can significantly contribute to a thriving economy. India’s over $400 billion digital economy in itself is a major contributor to the overall economy and its continued growth is essential for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. Digital public infrastructure (DPI) like Aadhaar and UPI have revolutionalised online identity authentication and payments and have empowered individuals and businesses. Similar DPI initiatives, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies can digitally transform sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, education, agriculture, etc. and enhance economic growth.

Improving access to digital services and infrastructure and digital empowerment through initiatives like BHASHINI can enhance digital inclusion, particularly for disadvantaged communities.

Digital transformation is also essential for fostering innovation and technological advancement. It can also be used to promote green technologies and sustainable practices. Smart cities initiative is already showing how scalable digital transformation and PPPs can address challenges like sustainable urban planning and climate change. Digitalisation can also enhance good governance and improve India’s standing as a global leader in sustainable economic growth.

To achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat and create such an economy and society wide impact over the next two decades, the Digital India programme needs to be reimagined as a cross-sectoral mission based on a whole of government and whole of society framework.

This new mission, Digital India 2.0, needs to be architected on certain key foundations for accelerating digital transformation across various sectors. First, it needs to focus on creating world-class digital infrastructure including AI-ready data centres and high-speed connectivity through fibre and mobile reaching all villages. With AI emerging as a key platform technology that would drive transformation across various sectors in future, the need for making India a global hub for AI-ready data centres with high-performance hardware and robust network infrastructure cannot be overemphasized. Expansion of data centre infrastructure would also address the need to ensure data privacy, security and data storage within the country.

Second, digital government and digital services need to undergo a major transformation through a focus on delivering integrated, pro-active and personalised services using AI. This would require building a unified AI stack as a digital public infrastructure (DPI) comprising AI-ready data centres, access to curated data sets, and AI models and applications to enable the ministries and departments to develop their own use cases quickly.

Third, the growth of the digital economy needs to be accelerated so that its share increases to at least 25% of the overall GDP of $30 trillion by 2047 from its present level of around 11%. This requires sustained growth in electronics and semiconductors, IT-ITES, and emerging technologies, such as AI, 6G, quantum computing, IoT, etc. However, a major contribution to the growth of the digital economy is likely to come from digitalisation of the traditional sectors, e.g., agriculture, health, education, financial services, retail, etc. Building a vibrant start-up ecosystem in these domains is essential for achieving this goal.

Fourth, we need to revamp our legal and regulatory framework to support the rapid growth of the digital economy. The major issues that need to be addressed include concerns on data privacy, cyber security, accountability of online platforms including social media, and fairness and transparency of AI algorithms. Though privacy concerns have been addressed through the new Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, a full revamp of the 25 year old IT Act needs to be undertaken to address these issues comprehensively.

Fifth, rapid advancements in strategic and emerging technologies with ownership of intellectual property is a sine qua non for becoming a global leader in digital economy. We need to quickly formulate national strategies in these critical areas and fund the flagship initiatives. The IndiaAI Mission is a step in the right direction. However, we need to build our own foundational models in AI to ensure strategic autonomy in this rapidly advancing technology. Similarly, a national policy on data governance also needs to be formulated to ensure easier access to data by all the ministries, states, industry, start-ups, researchers, etc. This would allow rapid innovations to happen in these technologies.

Last, but not the least, skilling and capacity building in digital technologies at all levels is vital for rapid growth in the digital economy. India should rightly aim at becoming the skill and talent capital of the world.

Digital India 2.0, with its focus on a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, can accelerate digital transformation across various sectors to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat.

(The views expressed are personal.)