Role of External State and Non-State Actors — Current Affairs 2026

Current Affairs Connections

Recent developments and news linked to Role of External State and Non-State Actors.

India-Bangladesh Border Management Review Amidst Regional Instability

March 2024

In March 2024, India and Bangladesh held high-level border management talks, focusing on enhanced cooperation to curb illegal cross-border activities, including smuggling and infiltration. This comes amidst concerns over potential spillover effects from the political instability in Myanmar and the ongoing Rohingya crisis, which could exacerbate illegal immigration and provide opportunities for external non-state actors to exploit porous borders. The discussions aimed at strengthening intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols to prevent the use of the India-Bangladesh border by criminal syndicates and extremist elements.

UPSC Angle: This highlights the dynamic nature of border security challenges and the need for bilateral cooperation to counter external non-state actors. It connects to illegal immigration, transnational crime, and regional instability as factors impacting India's internal security.

Reported Surge in Cyber Attacks on Indian Critical Infrastructure by State-Backed Groups

April 2024

A report by a leading cybersecurity firm in April 2024 indicated a significant increase in sophisticated cyber attacks targeting India's critical infrastructure, including power grids and financial institutions. These attacks were largely attributed to Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups believed to be state-sponsored, primarily from China. The incidents underscore the growing threat of cyber warfare as a mechanism of external state actors to disrupt, surveil, and potentially sabotage India's strategic assets, posing a severe challenge to national security and economic stability.

UPSC Angle: This directly addresses the technological dimension of external state actor threats (cyber warfare) and its implications for critical infrastructure protection. It's vital for understanding hybrid warfare and the need for robust cyber security frameworks [VY:SEC-04].