Cross-Border Terrorism: The Invisible War destroying the India’s growth and derailing India’s $5 Trillion Dream

Maj Rajkumar Jhaljit Singh (Retd.) *

As India sets its sights on becoming third largest global economy with a $5 trillion GDP, a clear and present danger threatens to derail this vision—not merely economic volatility or global headwinds, but a far more insidious and deeply entrenched menace is cross-border terrorism.

Traditionally, India has maintained cordial and cooperative relations with its neighbors—Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. However, in recent years, there has been a significant and troubling shift in these dynamics. Several of these nations, once neutral or even friendly, have adopted increasingly adversarial postures, influenced by geopolitical realignments and external interference.

This shift has not remained confined to foreign policy; it has manifested in a dangerous transition from external threats to deeply embedded internal challenges. Infiltration across porous borders, ideological radicalization, and the export of instability are now seeping into India’s internal fabric, threatening national unity and security from within.

From the serene valleys of Kashmir to the volatile hills of Manipur, hostile forces are systematically weaponizing India’s borders to destabilize the nation from within. The recent Pahalgam massacre, where 26 innocent tourists were brutally gunned down, stands as a chilling testament to the sophistication and audacity of modern-day terrorism.

Alarming reports suggest that one of the four assailants was a former operative of Pakistan’s Special Forces, aided by local Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who facilitated their infiltration through India’s porous western frontier.

Equally alarming is the rapidly deteriorating situation in India’s Northeast. Since May 3, 2023, Manipur has been engulfed in sustained civil unrest and a near-total breakdown of constitutional order. This crisis is not the result of spontaneous local discontent, but rather a carefully orchestrated campaign driven by Kuki militant groups, the unchecked influx of illegal immigrants, narco-terrorism networks, and foreign-trained operatives.

Protected under the cover of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, these groups have exploited the porous Indo-Myanmar border to smuggle arms, establish hideouts and training camps, and traffic narcotics and combatants into Indian territory. The consequences have been devastating—severe demographic distortions, escalating ethnic strife, and a deliberate unraveling of social cohesion.

Alarmingly, certain political voices have even echoed separatist ambitions, with the sitting Chief Minister of Mizoram openly advocating for a separate Christian nation carved out of Indian territory—an unprecedented challenge to the nation’s unity and constitutional framework.

These internal threats are further exacerbated by external instability. Myanmar’s civil war and political volatility in Bangladesh have triggered waves of undocumented immigration into India’s Northeast. These developments not only undermine internal cohesion but also derail India’s Act East Policy, which envisions the Northeast as a vital trade and connectivity hub for Southeast Asia.

Simultaneously, India’s western front remains volatile. Inflammatory statements by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, followed closely by the Pahalgam massacre, mark a dangerous escalation.

Ceasefire violations and unprovoked firing from across the border continue unabated. India has responded firmly—revisiting the Indus Waters Treaty, strengthening intelligence coordination, and empowering its armed forces with broader operational autonomy.

A Secure Border is the Bedrock of a Thriving Economy and India must first reinforce its core—secure borders, robust internal security, and cohesive communities. Without these, the nation’s growth ambitions remain vulnerable to systemic disruption and Key Policy Imperatives:

1. Modernize Border Infrastructure: Deploy advanced surveillance systems, drones, and smart fencing across critical sections of both eastern and western borders.

2. Reform Peace Accords: Reevaluate and, where necessary, revoke peace and SoO agreements that insurgent groups exploit for tactical advantage.

3. Implement NRC in Strategic States: Introduce the National Register of Citizens in Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland to stabilize demography and preserve indigenous rights.

4. Crack Down on Narco-Terrorism: Integrate the efforts of NCB, IB, BSF, and military intelligence to dismantle drug-terror networks that finance insurgency.

5. Empower Local Defense Initiatives: Revive Village Defense Committees (VDCs) and promote community policing to build grassroots-level resilience against infiltration and radicalization.

6. Secure National Highways: Ensure uninterrupted civilian and commercial movement across national highways, particularly in Manipur, where militant-imposed blockades have caused a crippling rise in the cost of essential commodities.

7. Fix Accountability for Intelligence Gaps: Address intelligence and governance failures with institutional accountability. Re-establishing law and order are not just a necessity—it is a reflection of peace and prosperity.

National Integrity Over Political Expediency

India’s unity and sovereignty cannot be sacrificed at the altar of short-term political appeasement or diplomatic niceties. The recent tragedies in Pahalgam and Manipur, though geographically distant, share a common thread—the exploitation of weak borders to infiltrate, radicalize, and destabilize.

The sheer brutality of these acts—targeting innocent men, women, and children—reveals a barbarism that recognizes neither religion nor humanity. The nature of these attacks reveals that terrorism knows no religion, no humanity, and it must be confronted with unwavering resolve.

India cannot afford to project softness in the face of such sustained threats. The response must be rooted in clarity, conviction, and decisive action. Dismantling terror infrastructure, neutralizing support networks, and delivering justice for every life lost must become a national priority. This is not a call for vengeance—it is a call for justice, security, and survival.

Only by securing its borders—geographically, socially, and politically—can India claim its rightful place as a global economic powerhouse. This is not just about the economy; it is about survival, sovereignty and soul of the nation.