BORDERING WITHOUT OTHERING: PEACE AND SECURITY IN INDO-BHUTANESE FRONTIER

Abstract

This article seeks to highlight a noteworthy instance of bordering along the Indo-Bhutan frontier. The essay combines aspects of nationalism and globalization. Nationalism deems open borders as wounds that need to be healed through fencing, while globalization seeks to open up borders for free trade and movement of people. The Indo-Bhutan border is distinct from the soft borders of Europe and the hard borders between unfriendly nations such as the USA and Mexico. This is due to the process of clear demarcation involving military patrols and simultaneously the citizens of the border villages extending their cooperation and mutual trust across the border and by not showing any signs of othering. Here, civilians play a crucial role as they have established mutual respect, collaboration, and confidence with the Bhutanese people while also supporting the SSB's widespread presence and patrols. The presence of SSB marks the solidification of borders due to rising nationalism, while the civilians on both sides of the hardened border show immense cooperation and mutual respect.  Although security risks associated with othering by nationalist groups persist, the Indo-Bhutan borderline is an intriguing example.