NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday called for greater use of artificial intelligence to analyse intelligence inputs and strengthen India’s response to emerging national security threats, while directing security agencies to take strict measures against infiltration.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the ninth two-day National Security Strategies (NSS) Conference-2026 here, Shah also directed agencies to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tackling different national security challenges based on AI-driven analysis of information available on the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) platform.
The Home Minister stressed on the need for an integrated approach to counter-terrorism and radicalisation, including comprehensive investigation of cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Shah emphasised strengthening the implementation of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) PRAHAAR scheme, expediting trials by bringing fugitives back to India and making greater use of provisions allowing trials in absentia.
In an official statement, the MHA said more than 850 participants are attending the conference, being held in hybrid mode. Ministers of State for Home Affairs, the Union Home Secretary, Deputy National Security Advisers and heads of Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations are participating in person.
Directors General of Police from States and Union Territories, young police officers working at the cutting edge and domain experts from specialised fields are also joining the meeting virtually.
The first day’s deliberations focused on major security challenges, including counter-terrorism, intelligence fusion and operationalisation through the MAC, narcotics control, detection and deportation of illegal migrants, cybercrime and Pakistan-backed proxy warfare.
Before inaugurating the conference, Shah paid tribute at the Martyrs’ Column, laying a wreath in memory of Intelligence Bureau personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty while protecting the country’s security and integrity.
On the second day of the conference the participants will examine threats posed by sub-aerial systems and possible countermeasures, protection of the blue economy, information warfare and its national security implications, and the need for a comprehensive bio-security framework, the MHA said.
The NSS Conference has been held annually in hybrid mode since 2021 following the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It brings together grassroots-level security and police officers with domain experts to develop practical solutions to emerging national security challenges.
