Contextualizing Border Haats in India’s Border Management Strategy

Reflections from Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

The process of political socialization consists of people-to-people connections. Between states, such interactions carry diplomatic meaning and significance. The drawing of boundaries and construction of frontiers have aggravated its importance. Cross-border trade activities are a unique feature of this. Geographical proximity, a need-based approach, and border management are the guiding principles in this regard. Hence, border Haats have strategic significance. However, these are not used only for the trade of agreed items between countries; they are also the hotbeds of several illegal activities. To name a few: drugs and substance trafficking, human trafficking, animal trafficking, and many more. Due to geographical proximity, India’s Northeast region is bound to have cross-border trade with neighbouring countries. Formal border Haats were operational earlier in a few districts sharing borders with neighbouring countries, but were later discontinued. However, new ones are proposed too, though the challenges, issues, and problems persist. Within the border management strategy, regulating cross-border activities adds more complexities. Hence, a few do not go comfortably with the concept of the border Haats. Meanwhile, a Constructivist pedagogy insists on pushing for changes in norms, beliefs, and practices to restructure the social construction of the world based on new identities. This new normative framework interprets the relevance, significance, and usefulness of adopting a comprehensive and inclusive approach to border management. This research paper presents a comprehensive study on all these aspects. For a nuanced understanding, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh have been taken as case studies.