BHUBANESWAR, Dec 2: The 59th All India Conference of Director Generals and Inspectors General of Police, held in Bhubaneswar, concluded on Sunday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah addressing pressing national security challenges. A key focus of the conference was emerging security concerns along India’s borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar, as well as the growing threats posed by cybercrime and the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The conference saw extensive deliberations on security issues, including counter-terrorism, left-wing extremism, economic security, immigration, coastal security, and narco-trafficking. The discussions highlighted the need for enhanced urban policing strategies and countermeasures against malicious narratives. One of the central issues was the increasing concern about digital frauds, cybercrimes, and AI technologies, especially the threat posed by deepfakes to social and familial relationships.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi urged the police leadership to harness India’s dual AI strengths—Artificial Intelligence and the aspirations of its people—to turn these challenges into opportunities. He emphasized the importance of SMART policing (Strategic, Meticulous, Adaptable, Reliable, and Transparent), leveraging technology to make police forces more efficient and ready for future challenges. Modi also called for the modernization of police forces and reducing the workload on constables, encouraging the adoption of technology at police stations as the central point for resource allocation.

During the conference, discussions were also held on the increasing security challenges along India’s borders, particularly with Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the counter-strategies developed during the conference. He also emphasized the need to expand the focus on port security, urging the police leadership to prepare a detailed action plan to strengthen it.

The conference, which ran from November 29 to December 1, saw the participation of over 750 officers from various states and union territories, both in person and virtually. Modi concluded the event by presenting the President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service to officers of the Intelligence Bureau, praising their contributions to national security.