Union Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates Ninth National Security Strategy Conference in New Delhi

The Union Home and Co‑operatives Minister, Shri Amit Shah, formally inaugurated the ninth National Security Strategy Conference 2026 in New Delhi, marking the launch of a two‑day forum that brings together senior officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, External Affairs, and Finance, alongside senior officers of the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and leading scholars from domestic and international security think‑tanks. The opening ceremony featured a keynote address by the minister, who underscored the need for a “cohesive, forward‑looking security architecture” to address the complex challenges confronting the nation, ranging from cross‑border tensions and terrorism to cyber‑espionage and climate‑driven instability.

The conference agenda is organized around four thematic tracks: (1) border management and maritime security, (2) counter‑terrorism and internal stability, (3) cyber and information warfare, and (4) emerging security dimensions such as climate change, pandemics and space. Panels will examine recent incidents of infiltration along the northern frontier, the growing sophistication of ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure, and the strategic implications of new maritime routes in the Indian Ocean. Participants are expected to produce a set of actionable policy recommendations, including enhancements to intelligence sharing mechanisms, reforms in border surveillance technology, and a framework for integrating climate resilience into national defense planning.

Since its inception a decade ago, the National Security Strategy Conference has served as a flagship platform for inter‑agency coordination and strategic foresight. Past editions have yielded landmark initiatives such as the establishment of the National Cyber Coordination Centre and the revision of the Integrated Defence Staff structure. The 2026 gathering aims to build on these foundations, delivering a comprehensive roadmap that aligns India’s security posture with its broader geopolitical and developmental objectives. The outcomes are slated for submission to the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Security Council for incorporation into the upcoming national security policy review.