Shoring up the Northeast frontier: How rebranding the discourse on connectivity is imperative to meet the China challenge

News: Recently, China renamed districts in Arunachal Pradesh and there was a viral video of the PLA unfurling the Chinese flag in Galwan on New Year. It indicates that 2022 will be more of the same in India-China relations.

What are the issues in the development projects in border areas?

Border infrastructure development is predominantly viewed as China-driven where local aspirations are incidental. It is believed by locals that “if construction is on, it is for the military”. For example, there is absence of supporting infrastructure to boost socio-economic development for locals in Arunachal Pradesh.

What measures should be taken by India to secure its border areas?

Reimagining border connectivity: Infrastructure in border areas like Arunachal should not be constructed with the image of ‘the eye on China’. The ongoing efforts of the central and Arunachal government in infrastructure building should be guided to support adventure sports, high-end tourism and horticulture development.

Promotion of Horticulture: There should be endeavour to promote organic kiwis (India’s only certified organic kiwis from Ziro valley), kiwi wines, and other niche sectors like tea tourism. It will address the local anxiety over lack of economic opportunities and mainland apathy.

Celebrating the local culture: Recently, a 17-day civilian-Army joint religious trek to Athu-Popu which is a sacred place for the Idu Mishmi tribe and a celebration of the Si Donyi festival of the indigenous Tagin tribe was organized. More such efforts are needed.

Promoting Adventure tourism: It could result in more jobs and revenue locally. For example, the Bailey’s Trail (a historical route taken by a British political officer) was revived for mountaineers last year. It benefited 80 local youths who were trained in the adventure tourism.

Checking mass media narratives which often conflate Buddhism with Arunachali identity: It is wrong narrative because Arunachal is home to 26 major tribes having faith in nature and animistic worshipping (for example, Donyi Polo is still practised in large numbers as per the 2011 national census).

There is a need of boosting digital connectivity, roads and standardisation of modest homestays. It will allow tourists to enjoy the local culture.

Need to address local issues which are impending development efforts: (a) ‘a culture of compensation’ i.e., temporary structures come up overnight along with exorbitant compensation claims which thwarts the development works, (b) the Tibetan Refugee Rehabilitation policy, (c) issues of rampant drug abuse and addiction in the eastern part of Arunachal

To cultivate resilience on the ground, integration of local communities in border conversations is vital.

Source: The post is based on an article “Shoring up the North-East Frontier: How rebranding the discourse on connectivity is imperative to meet the China challenge?” published in the Times of India on 20^th March 2022.