The Indian government will allocate Rs 31,000 crore to construct a fence along the 1,610-kilometer India–Myanmar border, as part of broader efforts to strengthen border security and monitor demographic changes in border regions, Home Minister Amit Shah announced.
Speaking at the Land Border District Superintendents of Police Conference 2026 in New Delhi on July 9, Shah said the project forms part of India's Smart Border initiative, which aims to modernize border management through the use of advanced technology and integrated security systems.
He said India plans to move beyond its traditional reliance on border outposts by establishing a technology-driven security network capable of addressing emerging cross-border challenges.
Shah stated that the government is concerned about demographic changes in border areas, saying illegal cross-border infiltration is a key factor contributing to what he described as "unnatural" population growth. He added that authorities are working to prevent such changes while strengthening border governance.
According to Shah, India's border security strategy also focuses on countering proxy warfare, illegal immigration, extremism, drug trafficking, smuggling, drone-related threats, cybercrime, and organized criminal activities.
He said the government would also invest in improving living conditions in border communities to reduce outward migration and encourage long-term development in frontier regions.
On coastal security, Shah said the central government is coordinating with border forces, state and district administrations, relevant government agencies, and local communities to establish a comprehensive security network.
He also announced that India will launch a Demography Mission to examine demographic trends in border districts, identify the causes of unusual population growth, and recommend measures to prevent similar changes in the future.
Ref: Swarajya
