UPSC Mains 2018 GS3 Q20 — Internal Security and Drugs
India's proximity to two of the world's biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Explain
- Scope keywords
- proximity to two of the world's biggest illicit opium-growing statesinternal security concernslinkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activitiesgunrunning, money laundering and human traffickingcounter-measures
- Implicit sub-parts
- Identification and brief mapping of the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle in relation to India's geography.
- Mechanism of 'Narco-Terrorism' where drug proceeds fund insurgencies and regional instability.
- The role of the 'Dark Web' and 'Crypto-currencies' in facilitating these multidimensional linkages.
- Evaluation of existing institutional frameworks like NCORD and the need for regional diplomatic cooperation.
- Common pitfalls
- Spending too many words describing the geography of the Golden Crescent/Triangle without linking them to specific internal security threats like the Punjab drug crisis or Northeast insurgency.
- Treating gunrunning, money laundering, and human trafficking as isolated silos instead of showing the 'process flow'—e.g., drug money being laundered to buy illegal arms.
- Failing to mention the 'Security-Development' nexus, focusing only on policing while ignoring the socio-economic vulnerability of border populations.
- Providing generic suggestions like 'increase patrolling' instead of naming specific technological or policy measures like Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) or the NDPS Act amendments.
- Dimensions required
- GeopoliticalInternal SecurityEconomic/FinancialTechnologicalLegislative/Policy
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 3 marks for the introduction mapping the proximity to the Crescent/Triangle. Devote 7 marks to a detailed 'linkage matrix' explaining how drug money fuels arms and trafficking. Use the remaining 5 marks for a multi-layered strategy involving technology, international cooperation, and legal reforms.
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