India to build smart borders, strengthen security grid: Amit Shah on infiltration
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
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. Read Full Story 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.
The BriefWire