Divisive Forces, Misinformation: Amit Shah Highlights Key Challenges
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that divisive forces are still active in the country, using disinformation, misinformation, and fake news to disrupt social unity and create chaos. In a address during 37th Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment Lecture in New Delhi, Shah emphasized the need for vigilance, innovation, and proactive measures to combat these emerging challenges.
The Home Minister also highlighted the growing threat of cyberattacks, information warfare, and psychological warfare. He emphasized the need for India to develop innovative strategies to combat these emerging threats, including the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Shah stressed the importance of building a robust ecosystem to counter misinformation and reduce the spread of propaganda to zero. He also emphasized the need for developing an intelligence coordination strategy with friendly nations to detect anti-India organizations and networks.
The Home Minister urged young officers to step forward and prepare the Intelligence Bureau to become a cutting-edge intelligence agency. He emphasized the need for a workforce with the ability to train personnel and adapt to emerging challenges.
The event was attended by Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, former Directors of the Intelligence Bureau, Directors General of Central Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces, and senior officials from the Intelligence Bureau and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In his address, Shah highlighted the significant progress made by India’s security agencies in combating threats to the nation. He attributed this success to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose guidance the country has achieved “almost decisive victory” over long-standing issues such as the Northeast, Left-Wing Extremism, and Kashmir.
Shah noted that violent incidents in these three regions have decreased by 70%, with fatalities reducing by approximately 86%. He praised the Intelligence Bureau’s working methodology, vigilance, proactiveness, and tradition of sacrifice and dedication, which have kept the country safe.
The Union Home Minister emphasized the importance of a robust intelligence ecosystem, stating that no country can progress without it. He acknowledged the Intelligence Bureau’s significant improvement in alertness, sharpness, and capability to deliver results over the past decade.
Shah emphasized the vital importance of the intelligence ecosystem in ensuring the safety and security of the country. He outlined the four key dimensions of the intelligence ecosystem’s impact: society, sovereignty, security, and vigilance.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the security of society to combat challenges such as Naxalism, terrorism, organized crime, and antisocial elements. He emphasized that the concept of sovereignty extends beyond territorial boundaries to include innovation, technology, economy, resources, and research and development processes.
Shah emphasized the importance of increased vigilance in the face of rapid changes in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and cyberspace. He noted that traditional methods of vigilance are no longer sufficient and that the concept of vigilance must evolve to address emerging threats.
Home Minister highlighted the significant successes achieved in combating terrorism, Naxalism, insurgency, narcotics, and anarchic elements over the past decade.
He noted that the Modi government has enhanced and strengthened anti-terrorism capabilities through a “Whole of Government Approach” and has undertaken numerous initiatives to empower agencies and expand their capabilities. Shah also emphasized the importance of improving coordination between states and agencies, which has been a major focus area for the government.