Sat Jan 03 16:36:26 UTC 2026: Summary:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on January 3, 2026, inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for projects worth ₹373 crore. He expressed confidence that the islands would become a major contributor to India’s treasury within a decade due to ongoing developmental projects, including an international transhipment project and oil exploration trials. Shah chaired a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting focusing on national security, disaster management, cybersecurity, and regional infrastructure, emphasizing the use of technology in crime fighting and expansion of forensic science infrastructure. He also inaugurated an exhibition on new criminal laws aimed at educating the public about the reforms. Shah highlighted the historical significance of the islands, referencing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Veer Savarkar, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing the archipelago while preserving its heritage, aligning with the ‘Viksit Bharat’ campaign.
News Article:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Poised to Become Economic Powerhouse, Says Home Minister Shah
Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands – January 3, 2026 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted today that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are on track to become a significant contributor to the Indian economy within the next decade. Speaking at the inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremony for projects worth ₹373 crore, Shah highlighted the islands’ transformation from a “drain of the country’s treasury” to a potential economic powerhouse.
Shah pointed to ongoing developmental projects, including the international transhipment project and oil exploration trials, as key drivers of this economic growth. “Under Prime Minister Modi’s vision, I am confident that after the next 10 years, this island group will be a major contributor to the country’s treasury,” he stated.
Earlier in the day, the Home Minister chaired a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting, focusing on national security, disaster management, cybersecurity, and regional infrastructure development. The committee emphasized the importance of leveraging the latest technologies in crime fighting and expanding forensic science capabilities across the country, including the establishment of National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) campuses in all states by 2029.
Shah also inaugurated an exhibition on the ‘Naveen Nyaya Sanhita’ (new criminal laws), aiming to educate the public about the recently enacted reforms. The exhibition showcased the changes introduced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
During his address, Shah emphasized the historical significance of the islands, citing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s flag hoisting and Veer Savarkar’s sacrifices, and the renaming of the islands to honor their contributions. He reiterated the central government’s commitment to developing the archipelago while preserving its heritage, aligning with the ‘Viksit Bharat’ campaign to make India self-reliant by 2047.
The inaugurated projects include a road project, a Consumer Commission building, a hospital expansion, an intensive care unit, an Integrated Control and Command Centre, and a DNA & Cyber Forensic Laboratory.
Shah’s visit underscores the government’s focus on the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indo-Pacific region and its commitment to unlocking their economic potential.
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