India to build smart borders, strengthen security grid: Amit Shah on infiltration

Amit Shah said the Centre is building smart borders and a coordinated security grid to curb infiltration. He said the strategy links technology, development and local participation to tackle emerging threats.

In Short

• Conference framed border policing as a shared responsibility across agencies and communities
• AI, anti-drone systems and sensors will anchor a modern surveillance network
• Government linked frontier development with security through roads, healthcare and jobs

The Centre is preparing a technology-driven overhaul of India's border security, with a focus on smart surveillance, a coordinated security grid and tougher action against illegal infiltration. Addressing the Border District Superintendents of Police Conference 2026 in New Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said securing the country's frontiers would no longer remain the sole responsibility of border guarding forces but would require close coordination between the Centre, states, district administrations and local communities.

Shah said the government was building a "quadrilateral security grid" to make India's borders more secure while ensuring the development and prosperity of people living in border areas.

The conference was attended by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, Union Home Secretary, the Intelligence Bureau Director, Directors General of Police from border states and other senior officials.

SMART BORDER TO DRIVE SECURITY TRANSFORMATION

Shah said the Border District SP Conference was not merely a platform for discussions but an institutional mechanism to develop a comprehensive border security framework. He added that a similar approach would also be adopted to strengthen coastal security.

According to the Home Minister, the government's Smart Border vision aims to make India's border management among the most advanced in the world by deploying artificial intelligence, digital surveillance, anti-drone systems, smart sensors and integrated command and control centres.

"Border security cannot remain confined to border posts and security personnel alone. It requires seamless coordination among security forces, state governments, district administrations, central agencies and local citizens," he said.

'SECURE BORDERS, PROSPEROUS FRONTIERS, AWARE SOCIETY'

Shah said the government's border security policy rests on three pillars - "Secure Borders, Prosperous Frontiers and an Aware Society."

He said national security was not ensured by weapons alone and that the development of border regions and participation of local communities were equally important.

The government, he said, was expanding education, healthcare, roads, communication networks, employment opportunities and basic infrastructure in border areas to reduce migration and encourage local communities to become active stakeholders in national security.

FOCUS ON TERROR, NAXALISM AND ORGANISED CRIME

Referring to the Modi government's internal security record, Shah said terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast had been effectively brought under control, while anti-Naxal operations had also achieved significant success.

He credited these achievements to coordinated efforts by the Centre, state governments, security forces and local administrations.

"The next major objective is decisive action against organised crime, narcotics and illegal infiltration," he said.

TARGET TO WEAKEN NARCOTICS NETWORKS

Shah said the government had prepared a comprehensive strategy to inflict a major blow on drug trafficking networks over the next three years.

He described cross-border narcotics smuggling as a serious threat to national security and said stronger border management, better coordination among states and greater use of technology would help dismantle these networks.

TOUGHER ACTION ON ILLEGAL INFILTRATION

The Home Minister said the government's objective was not merely to identify illegal infiltrators but to build systems that prevent infiltration altogether.

He said robust surveillance, modern technology and closer coordination among agencies would form the backbone of this strategy.

"Earlier, problems remained permanent while solutions were temporary. Our government is working to address problems at their roots and provide permanent solutions," Shah said.

400% RISE IN BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE

Shah said investment in border infrastructure had increased by nearly 400 per cent under the Modi government.

He said roads, bridges, tunnels, communication facilities, border outposts and other critical infrastructure had significantly improved, enhancing troop deployment, logistics and emergency response capabilities while also benefiting people living in border areas.

VIBRANT VILLAGES TO STRENGTHEN BORDER AREAS

Referring to the Vibrant Villages Programme, Shah said the government had adopted the philosophy of treating India's last village as its first.

The initiative aims to create employment opportunities, reduce migration, improve basic services and ensure that government welfare schemes reach every household in border villages.

"When border villages become stronger, border security also becomes stronger," he said.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE UNDER WATCH

Expressing concern over demographic changes in border regions, Shah said the government had initiated a dedicated study to identify unusual population shifts and prepare measures to prevent them.

He said the Centre would adopt a "ruthless approach" to tackle abnormal demographic changes after identifying their root causes.

According to Shah, illegal infiltration remained one of the principal reasons behind demographic changes in several border districts.

He urged district police chiefs and state police forces to immediately report any unusual demographic trends so timely action could be taken before they developed into larger security challenges.

SHIFT FROM REACTIVE TO PROACTIVE SECURITY

Shah said the government had fundamentally changed its approach to border security by moving from a reactive model to a proactive one.

Instead of responding after incidents occur, the focus would now be on identifying and neutralising threats before they materialise.

He said an integrated security grid would enable all agencies to share intelligence in real time, leading to faster decision-making and more effective operations.

MYANMAR BORDER FENCING GATHERS PACE

The Home Minister said fencing work along the 1,610-km India-Myanmar border was progressing rapidly at an estimated cost of Rs 31,000 crore.

He said the project would significantly strengthen security in the Northeast by addressing challenges such as illegal infiltration, arms smuggling, narcotics trafficking, radicalisation and organised crime.

NEW THREATS REQUIRE NEW STRATEGIES

Shah said India's border security challenges had evolved beyond conventional threats and now included proxy warfare, illegal infiltration, radicalisation, narcotics trafficking, drone activity, cybercrime, organised crime and demographic changes.

He said the government was tackling these challenges through an integrated strategy that combines security, development, technology and public participation to make border regions safer, more prosperous and resilient.

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