Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday inaugurated the ninth National Security Strategies (NSS) Conference in New Delhi, a two-day event focused on contemporary security challenges. The conference, organised by the Intelligence Bureau, is being held in a hybrid format, with over 850 officers from security forces, state police and other agencies participating both physically and virtually.
Before the inauguration, Shah laid a wreath at the Martyrs' Column in remembrance of Intelligence Bureau personnel who died in the line of duty, as reported by ANI and Daily Excelsior.
Key directives on counter-terrorism and infiltration
During the inaugural session, Shah emphasised training for the implementation of the Ministry of Home Affairs' anti-terror scheme PRAHAAR, expediting trials by bringing back fugitives and using trial-in-absentia provisions, and adopting a comprehensive approach while investigating cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), according to a government statement cited by Greater Kashmir.
The Home Minister directed that an AI-based analysis of information available on the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) platforms be done to create standard operating procedures to counter various national security challenges. He also directed all agencies to take strict measures against infiltration, as reported by multiple outlets.
Daily Excelsior, citing official sources, reported that these directives were part of the conference's agenda, which also includes bringing back fugitives involved in terrorist and smuggling activities with enhanced coordination between central and state agencies.
Conference agenda and participation
On the first day, discussions focused on critical aspects of national security, including response to counter-terrorism challenges, fusion and operationalisation of intelligence through MAC, a vision document on narcotics control, detection and deportation of illegal migrants, a policy framework to combat cyber-crime, and proxy warfare by Pakistan, as detailed in a Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson's statement reported by The Indian Express.
The second day will focus on threats from sub-aerial systems and countermeasures, securing the blue economy, information warfare and its implications for national security, and the need for a bio-security framework.
Senior officials attending the conference in Delhi include Ministers of State for Home Affairs, the Union Home Secretary, Deputy National Security Advisers, heads of Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations. Directors General of Police of states and union territories, along with young police officers and domain experts, joined through virtual mode, as per reports.
Background of the conference
The National Security Strategies Conference has been held annually since 2021, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive at the DGP/IGP conference in 2016. The objective is to find solutions to major national security challenges using the experience of officers working at the grassroots level in collaboration with domain experts.
Daily Excelsior added a regional perspective, reporting that the top brass of Jammu and Kashmir Police, including DGP Nalin Prabhat, participated virtually from Srinagar and Jammu. The report noted that while terrorism has been contained to a large extent in J&K and Naxalism almost finished, threats of fresh infiltration and drone movement for smuggling weapons and narcotics persist. It also mentioned frequent drone sightings along the International Border in Punjab.
The Indian Express, in a separate feature, used the conference as the basis for a UPSC quiz question, highlighting the event's relevance to national security awareness.
In his concluding address scheduled for Tuesday, Shah is expected to summarise the deliberations, as indicated by Daily Excelsior.