Modi government has prepared a plan to make India drug-free by 2029, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (Sep 06, 2026) said the Narendra Modi government has prepared a plan to make India drug-free by 2029, saying a drug-free youth will lead to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The Center has adopted a coordinated nationwide strategy to dismantle the entire narcotics network, from drug smuggling to financing, while also focusing on rehabilitation, as part of its aim to achieve a “drug-free India” by 2029, he said.

“Narendra Modi’s aim is for drug-free youth power to lead to a Viksit Bharat in 2047,” Mr Shah told a press conference after chairing a high-level meeting on narcotics attended by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Home Ministry and state government officials.

“Prior to 2014, the fight against narcotics was largely carried out in small units and in isolation. Agencies were often content with catching minor suspects. Our government is making the fight a national security priority,” he said.

In 2019, a four-tier National Coordinating Committee on Combating Drug Trafficking (NCORD) was formed at the executive, state and district levels to ensure coordinated action against the drug menace. “Anti-Narcotics Special Task Forces (ANTFs) have been set up in all states and Union Territories and local police have been linked with the national strategy,” Shah said.

He said a Joint Coordination Committee was also created in 2019 to enable central agencies and state governments to take joint decisions against major drug networks, their international links and operational loopholes.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been strengthened by reorganizing its cadre and strengthening its manpower, zonal presence and operational capabilities, Mr. Shah said while stressing that the fight against drugs is not limited to enforcement.

The government has linked education, treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and livelihood opportunities with the anti-drug campaign, he stressed, adding that the 1933 MANAS line has been introduced to support people with drug addiction.

A four-pillar approach

The government’s three-year plan for a drug-free India is based on a four-pronged approach to destroying drug networks, Mr. Shah said.

“These pillars include intelligence and operational enforcement, synthetic drug control, demand and harm reduction, and capacity building and coordination,” he explained.

Mr Shah said the centre’s aim is to dismantle 100 national and international drug networks and bring back 100 refugees to the country by March 2029.

By March 2027, the entire narcotics supply chain will be exposed, while at least 75 clandestine laboratories will be destroyed by 2026, he said.

He said the government has also adopted a mission-mode approach to bring back refugees hiding abroad.

As many as 274 wanted or fugitive criminals from 36 countries were brought to India between July 2019 and July 2026, he said. In the past three years, 401 Red Corner notices have been issued, including 182 by July 2026, Mr Shah said.

He said more than 1,400 central and state agencies are linked through Interpol, enabling faster information sharing.

Between 2019 and 2026, properties worth ₹17,874 crore belonging to refugees were attached, while ₹18,762 crore were recovered or restored, the Union Home Minister informed.

Internal security

Mr. Shah also said that the government’s internal security strategy has succeeded in tackling three long-standing challenges – terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the Northeast and left-wing extremism.

Jammu and Kashmir is on the path of progress and development after the decline of terrorism, which is “gradually approaching zero”, he said, adding that separatist sentiment has eased since the abrogation of Article 370.

“The Modi government has taken various steps to improve and strengthen internal security. Those who dreamed of a ‘red’ (Maoist) corridor from Tirupati to Pashupati have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream,” he said.

Referring to the North-East, Mr Shah said 14 major peace accords had been signed since 2019 and around 11,000 armed youth had laid down their arms and joined the mainstream.

He said India has ended the nearly six-decade-old challenge of left-wing extremism on March 31, 2026, through a coordinated strategy combining security, development and confidence.

“We have eradicated Naxalism and we will deal with the narcotics menace in the same way,” the Union minister said.

Mr. Shah also highlighted the government’s efforts against cybercrime and said that the cyber system has helped save over ₹11,158 crore on 32.8 million complaints as on June 30, 2026.

He said measures taken to strengthen internal security include strengthening border and coastal security, introducing three new criminal laws and the Vibrant Villages programme.

The Union minister said the government has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism and a first response approach to disaster management.

He also praised the Goa police for the effective implementation of the three new criminal laws and said the conviction rate had increased from 22% to 53.2%.

Published – 06 Sep 2026 22:02 IST