It is a first-of-its-kind project to make people aware of national borders and people living in the border regions, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved initiating work of writing the history of the country’s borders.
India has long contentious borders with China and Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China has seen several stand-offs and transgressions due to differing perceptions. Recently, several top Ministers in the government including Rajnath Singh had claimed that India would get back Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).
“It is proposed that the work will cover various aspects of borders including tracing its making; making & unmaking and shifting of borders; the role of security forces; the role of borderland people encompassing their ethnicity, culture and socio-economic aspects of their lives,” the ministry statement said. The project is expected to be completed within two years, it added.
The decision to write the history of India's border was taken after defence minister's meeting with eminent personalities of Indian Council of Historical Research and officials of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Directorate General of Archives, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence on September 17.
Emphasizing the importance of writing the history of Indian borders which would provide better understanding “to the public in general and officials in particular”, Singh welcomed suggestions and directed officials to consult experts on “source material, broad contours, methodology and action plan required” for completing this project expeditiously.