Dr. Pushpita Das is Research Fellow and Coordinator of the Internal Security Centre at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. Her areas of research include border security and management, coastal security, drug trafficking, migration, and India’s Northeast. At IDSA she has been studying India’s approach towards the management of its international borders. She has been co-opted as an expert by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on projects on Coastal Security. Dr. Das has written extensively on her areas of research including: monographs titled Illegal Migration from Bangladesh: Deportation, Fences, Work Permit (2016) and Coastal Security: the Indian Approach (2013); three occasional papers titled Status of India’s Border Trade (2014), Drug Trafficking in India (2012), Coastal Security along Gujarat and Maharashtra coasts (2009); and a number of articles and commentaries in journals and books. She has also published two edited books:India’s Border management: selected documents (2010), and Northeast India: New Vistas for Peace (2008). Dr. Das has delivered lectures at a number of training institutes including the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration, Mussoorie; Naval War College, Mumbai; Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad; Sardar Patel Institute for Public Administration, Ahmedabad; and Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies, Bhutan, apart from participating in national and international seminars. Dr. Pushpita Das holds a Doctorate from the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Challenges to the Development of the Northeast through the Act East Policy
It is argued that the way to bring about development in the Northeast is by economically integrating the region with the vibrant markets of Southeast Asia and East Asia through the Act East Policy. Accordingly, a number of projects have been initiated to improve connectivity between the Northeast and the neighbouring countries. It is believed that connectivity projects will act as growth corridors resulting in economic development of the region.
India’s Approach to Border Management: From Barriers to Bridges
Implications of the Enhancement of Area of Jurisdiction of the BSF
The notification regarding modification of area of jurisdiction of the BSF focuses on prevention of illegal migration and cross-border crimes. It is important that the BSF trains its personnel about various Acts and sections of the CrPC and work towards better coordination with the other agencies.
Inter-state Border Disputes in Northeast India
The inter-state border disputes in the Northeast have persisted for long. Efforts need to be redoubled to find a political solution, mediated by the Union government, which is binding on all the states concerned in the Northeast.
Making of India’s Northeast, Geopolitics of Borderland and Transnational Interactions
Dilip Gogoi, Routledge (South Asia Edition), Oxon, 2020, i-275 pp., Rs. 995/- hardback, ISBN 978-0-367-89832-8
Is Northeast Poised for Lasting Peace?
With reduced levels of violent incidents and overall death tolls, the security situation in the Northeast has indubitably improved. However, there remain areas of concern that need to be addressed in a timely and suitable manner.
Citizenship Amendment Act: Fulfilment of a Long Standing Demand
CAA is a humanitarian gesture. Efforts of the government to allay apprehensions regarding CAA by countering misinformation is a welcome step. A better understanding and appreciation of CAA by the people is expected to reduce opposition to the Act.
Security challenges along the India-Myanmar border
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Pushpita Das’ write up titled ‘Security Challenges along India-Myanmar Border’ has been published on London School of Economic and Political Science (LSE) South Asia Blog.
Dr Das examines the security challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border in the write up.
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Security Challenges and the Management of the India–Myanmar Border
Being highly porous, poorly guarded and located along a remote, underdeveloped, insurgency-prone region and proximate to one of the world’s largest five opium producing areas, the India–Myanmar border is vulnerable to the activities of insurgents and drugs and arms traffickers as well as criminals. Although the Indian government has been alive to the threats that emanate from a poorly guarded India–Myanmar international border, its attention towards the problem has been woefully inadequate.
New Delhi's Options Post the Publication of the NRC in Assam
The best way forward for India is to initiate talks with Bangladesh and seek a mutually acceptable political solution for the issue of illegal immigrants.