Amit Shah on Modi Era Transformation: Tripura, Northeast Now Embody India’s Growth and Stability
In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Tripura Times, Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered a detailed look into the Narendra Modi-led government's performance over the last 11 years, with a special focus on the Northeast region and Tripura. Amid discussions on national security, digital governance, and economic achievements, Shah emphasized how the region—once considered peripheral—has moved to the heart of India’s development discourse. The interview was taken by our New Delhi Special Correspondent Subhashis Mittra.
Q. As we stand on the 11th year of the Modi government, what changes have been made possible by the dispensation?
In the last 11 years, the Modi government has made possible what could not be done in the last 70 years. Name a parameter, and you will find transformative development there.
When Modi Ji took over, the biggest challenge before the nation was the internal threat posed by the three terror hotspots, namely Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and left-wing extremism-affected areas. Today all these three regions have been transformed into development zones. Incidents of violence have reduced by 70%.
Nearly 26 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, while more than 80 crore citizens benefit from essential welfare schemes—covering housing, clean water, electricity, sanitation, food grains, health insurance, bank accounts, and LPG connections. This was unimaginable 11 years ago.
On the economic front, India has today become the third largest digital economy, accounting for 50% of all the global digital transactions. The nation today is dotted with one after another engineering marvel, from the Sela Tunnel in the Northeast, which is the longest bi-lane tunnel in the world, to the world’s highest rail bridge across the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. The cooperative sector of our nation takes pride in initiating the world’s largest Grain storage scheme.
The last 11 years were an era of holistic development for the nation with no comparison with any other period in the past.
If you recall the days before Modi Ji became the PM, India was grappling with major policy paralysis and today Bharat is a policy driven state with… policies covering different sectors of the economy.
Q. The Modi government has made the rise in the GDP figures its political plank. But the Opposition is of the view that our economy has become directionless?
At least Congress should not speak about the economy. People know what happened with the economy during the UPA regime. Under the Modi government, India’s economy is proceeding in one direction—holistic growth. The doubling of GDP from $2 trillion to $4.2 trillion is only one aspect. Does not the rise in per capita income by almost double from Rs.68,000 per annum in the UPA era to Rs.133,488 mean real tangible growth? Reduction of inflation rates? The skyrocketing capital expenditure from ?1.9 lakh crore to over ?10.5 lakh crore? During their period, NPAs of banks grew to double-digit figures, but now it has come down to 2.3%. FDI inflows have gone up by 143%, and foreign reserves have doubled to $654 billion. Infrastructure has expanded fast; we’re building more than 21 km of highways every day. The metro network has grown four times over. Over 55 crore Indians have been brought into the formal banking systemwho did not have a bank account during the Congress regime. As much as ?44 lakh crore has been delivered directly into beneficiaries’ accounts without leakage. These are not just numbers; they’re reflections of an all-around growth. I think the scale of transformation is too big and too fast for the Congress to process because it is something they could not even imagine during their period.
Q. You have set the target of eradicating Naxalism by 31st of March 2026? But is it possible to eliminate such a grave threat hovering above the nation for so long in such a short span of time?
A. Our message to the Naxalites is clear either surrender or get ready to face the might of our forces. No matter what we are going to eradicate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026.
In fact, the threat of Naxalism has already been relegated to the past in a major chunk of the nation under the leadership of Modi Ji. We have constantly advanced into the Naxalism-affected regions, destroying their strongholds and developing them under the watchful vigilance of our security forces. As a result of this, violent incidents of Naxalism, which were 16,463 in 2004-14, have come down by 52% to 7,856. Similarly, the deaths of security forces have come down by 71%, and deaths of civilians have come down by 68%. Last year alone, 290 Naxalites were neutralized, 1,090 Naxalites were arrested, and 881 Naxalites surrendered. While 226 Naxalites were neutralized in 2025 itself, 881 Naxalites surrendered this year. On 23 May 2025 itself, 24 hardcore Naxalites surrendered in Bijapur. This is the first time that a general secretary-level Naxalite, Basavaraj, has been killed; this is a big achievement. On account of incessant armed campaigns by the government once notorious Naxal strongholds like Budhapahad, Abujhmaad and Chakrabandha and Kuregatta hills have today Naxal free. Today we are developing the Naxal-affected areas with unprecedented speed. Whether it is roads, connectivity, setting up mobile towers, branches of banks and ATMs, post offices, as well as schools and educational institutes, the newly build facilities are constantly improving their living standards.
Q. Cybercrime has become a major threat in India. How are you going to secure the people and make the digital India project successful?
The Modi government is not only securing the citizens from cybercrime but is also committed to building a cyber success by building robust mechanisms to shield citizens. We launched a helpline, no. 1930, that now handles over 60,000 calls a day. So far, over ?4,275 crore has been returned to nearly 14.5 lakh victims with the help of 419 participating banks and financial institutions. Our Cyber Crime Portal, launched the same year, has registered more than 65 lakh unique complaints and helped file 1.5 lakh FIRs. It’s been visited over 20 crore times. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is now active across 33 states and UTs, with cyber forensic labs supporting investigations. What makes PM Modi’s model effective is speed, scale, and systemic backing. The Cyber Fraud Mitigation Center ensures stolen funds are frozen and returned in real time. This isn’t just cyber governance; it’s building digital trust. Recently our agencies have developed an application to identify mule accounts instantly, which will further secure citizens from cyber frauds.
Q. The publicity around the three new criminal laws give the impression that the roadblocks in delivering justice will now be removed. What has been achieved on the ground till now?
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for the first time in nearly 150 years, transformative changes have been made to the three laws that govern India's criminal justice system, bringing in a spirit of Indianness, concern for the Indian Constitution, and the people of India. The soul, vision, and structure of these new laws are entirely Indian. These laws will provide justice to a victim in just 3 years doing away with the tradition of adjournments after adjournments. They prioritise the security of women and children and lay out elaborate provisions for them. The laws for the first time ever define terrorism, making difficult for terrorists to evade the law.
The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is progressing well. Legacy data has been added, and nearly 95% of the integration is complete. A unified software system is expected to be launched by September, connecting all police stations, forensic labs, prosecution departments, courts, and prisons.
This will help modernize our legal system, making it one of the most advanced in the world.
Q. Opposition is going to corner you in the Parliament in the upcoming session on the issue of Operation Sindoor. Are you prepared to take them on?
Operation Sindoor symbolizes the valour of New India that does not sit tight when its citizens are harmed and does not flinch at any threat. Every patriot takes pride in the valour and power of our armed forces. But it is unsurprising to me that no success of the nation can sway Rahul Gandhi with pride.
Operation Sindoor showcased a new India, bold, decisive, and prepared. It reflected three key strengths: PM Modi’s unwavering resolve, the precision of our forces, and the sharp intelligence capabilities of our agencies.Indian forces crossed 100 km into Pakistan and dismantled nine camps. Even when the Pakistani military tried to retaliate, our defenses neutralized their attacks, and we responded by taking out their air bases.
It was a historic moment, India carrying out a successful mission against a nuclear-armed country. Under Modi ji’s leadership, India defends itself and strikes with unbridled might.
Q. When peace started descending on Jammu and Kashmir, the Pahalgam terror attack struck. Do you think it is possible for Jammu and Kashmir to recover from the impact of the Pahalgam?
After the abrogation of Article 370, a systemic change has swept across Jammu and Kashmir, transforming it into a growth engine. Now nothing can change that and push Jammu and Kashmir to its past ridden with violence and terror. In fact, for the first time ever, Kashmiris hit the streets protesting the terror attacks much to the chagrin of Pakistan.
In the last few years not a single youth has joined terror groups. And stone pelting has dipped to zero from 2,654 in 2010. Normal life has returned to the valley as, after three decades, cinema halls have reopened and Taziapr ocessions have resumed. The number of tourists who visited in 2022 was 1.88 crore, which rose to 2.11 crore the following year. Between 2014 and 2025, violent incidents fell by 67 percent compared to the previous decade. Casualties among security forces declined by 42 percent, and civilian deaths dropped by 77 percent. Investments worth ?12,000 crore are going to be made.
Q. The Congress had earlier termed the Modi government’s efforts to develop the Northeast as mere eyewash. What is your take on it?
In fact, it is the other way round. It is due to the Congress party’s several decades-long apathy towards the Northeast that the people of the region have thrown the party out of office. Nor will the people allow it to return.
Let me tell you what the Congress did for the Northeast and what we did. During the UPA regime, the tax devolution grant allotted to the Northeast was Rs.108,483 crore in 2014-15, which has been increased by 430% to Rs.574,741 crore by the Modi government in 2023-24. On the other hand, the grants to the region during the same period were Rs.2,37,972crore, which increased to Rs.5,66,093 crore by 138% in 2023-24. The Congress allotted only Rs.2332 crore to the DoNER Ministry in the year 2014-15, which has been increased by a 153% to Rs.5915 crore in 2025-26.
And this is not all. The Modi government ushered in an era of peace to the region. In the last 11 years due to incessant efforts of the Modi government, 12 peace accords were signed, resolving most of the insurgency issues in the region. More than 10,000 insurgents surrendered during his period. The outcomes of these initiatives are mirrored in the data. The number of incidents of violence was 11,327 in the period 2004-2014, and it reduced to 3493 in the period 2014-2025, which is a 69% dip. Deaths of security personnel were 456, and it fell to 135 in the same period, again a 70% reduction. Deaths of civilians plummeted to 397 from 2651, and that is an 85% decrease. AFSPA has been removed from many areas in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. In Assam, AFSPA has been removed from 32 districts out of 35 and from many police station areas in Arunachal Pradesh. The Modi govt has created an environment of peace which will not allow insurgency to return to the North-East.
Modi Ji has brought the Northeast closer to the rest of India with a staggering infrastructure push, building engineering landmarks like the Bogibeel Bridge and Sela tunnel.Made life easier in villages by building 46,296 kilometers of village roads with an expenditure of Rs.47,279 crore. In air connectivity, 64 routes and new airports have become functional, and 4950 kilometers of national highways have been completed with Rs. 41459 crore. These projects have not only reduced physical distance but also distance of hearts. This is the power of Modi Ji’s Act East Policy.
Q.CPI(M) often claims that it did not see any real development in Tripura.
Maybe they are referring to the development of their own leaders and the cadres who always used to prosper at the cost of the state. We have stopped that tradition by uprooting corruption. However, the people of Tripura do not need the Communist party to show them real development.
In the last 11 years, the people of Tripura have seen intense efforts by the Modi government to develop Tripura with immense success. The funds allotted to Tripura during the UPA and the NDA regimes tell volumes about the stupendous growth during the Modi government. During the UPA regime the devolution fund received by Tripura was Rs.8900 crore whereas the same was increased to Rs.47,169 crore, five times during the Modi government. The same is true about grants-in-aid, which doubled during the Modi government to Rs.61964 crore from a mere Rs.31285 crore in the UPA regime. Apart from that, Rs. 19,000 crore was spent for infrastructure development out of which Rs. 17,000 crore was spent on roads, Rs. Rs.1,000 crore on railways, and Rs. 1,000 crore on airport development.
The Agartala-Akhaura new rail link scheme was launched. In Tripura 19 trains are operated, of which 13 are express trains. Agartala airport has been developed with Rs. 600 crore; the new terminal of the Maharaja Bir Vikram airport was built with Rs. 400 crore. As much as Rs. 500 crore has been spent for SamagraShiksha in 100 schools. Similarly, for the establishment of a campus of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Agartala, ?100 crore; for the construction of the Tripura Institute of Technology in West Tripura ?142 crore was allocated; and for the construction of Phase II of the Tripura Institute of Technology in West Tripura, ?75 crore was allocated. And 21 Eklavya Model Residential Schools were sanctioned along with Rs. 200 crore for the construction of Agartala Dental College.
Q. What is the Center’s roadmap for making Tripura a gateway for trade in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia?
A. We have finished constructing three land ports in Agartala, Srimantpur and Sabroom and are planning to construct three more in Muhurighaat, Manu and Purana Ragnabazar, so six ports are very important for material supply and trade in a way. Through these land ports, we can facilitate trade in not only Bangladesh but the entire East through Tripura. Apart from this, the Maitri train will naturally facilitate trade and we are developing railways at the Nischintapur railway station to cater to cross-border trade. In a way, we have addressed all the drawbacks of a land-locked state through infrastructure.
Q. One more thing. After Hasina government has been overthrown, how safe is the northeast valley? It is adjacent and the situation is very tense. Hindu minorities are being tortured in Bangladesh. Will that have any effect here? Are you doing something?
A. The Foreign Ministry has been in continuous talks and is concerned about the safety of Hindus there. There is no question of allowing instability in Bangladesh to impact the situation in the northeast. Incidents relating to minority communities in Bangladesh are a cause for concern, and it is the responsibility of Bangladesh authorities to address these. This has been communicated to Bangladesh authorities at all levels, including in various high-level meetings between the two sides.
Q. Sir, the Tripura government has proposed that Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council be made a territorial council.
A. See, the Parliament session has been summoned, and I will not talk much about this Bill. But we believe that after having talks with tribals and non-tribals, we will find an amicable solution to this.
Q. Tripura has a high percentage of scheduled tribes and a history of ethnic sensitivity. What measures is the government taking to ensure inclusive development, especially for indigenous communities.
A. See, as far as the Narendra Modi government is concerned, in the last 11 years we have provided houses, drinking water, toilets, electricity, LPG connections, 5 kg rice for free and health insurance upto Rs. 5 lakh to the poor. The biggest beneficiaries of this, percentagewise prorata, have been tribals, and all the Tripura tribal population has received and acknowledged these benefits. If we have to refer to Tripura then in this state itself the scheduled caste and tribes beneficiaries have received 1.55 lakh gas connections out of the total 3.16 lakhs. Construction of two Eklavya Model Residential Schools at ?48 crore. During the communist regime only 2.5% of the population availed piped drinking water and now this number is 85% and the tribes are the biggest beneficiary of it.For this reason, we get elected continuously. I visited Tripura during the Communist regime too. I still visit. There is enthusiasm among the people. The Seventh Pay Commission had not been implemented for years. It is the BJP govt that rolled out the Pay Commission.
Q. One more thing, there is a demand to increase the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council seats from 30 to 50.
A. All this is a matter of constitutional reform and we have been discussing it with the tribal organizations. In a short time, we have had good talks with both tribal and non-tribal communities of Tripura and will find an amicable solution so that there is no unrest.
Q. Why has the government been a failure in stemming terror in Manipur?
A. I would like to correct you that the situation in Manipur is not due to terrorism but because of ethnic conflict. There have been two rounds of joint discussions as well with Kuki and Meitei groups. I hope that very soon, an amicable solution will emerge. Whenever ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in previous governments it stretched to extended period.
Q. On one hand, you are raising the slogan of a drug-free India and on the other, your agencies are seizing drugs of an unprecedented volume. Does it not show the futility of the slogan? Does the Northeast not require special attention being a border state.
In fact, it is just the opposite. The rise in drug seizures does not mean that drug abuse has increased. I have also said in the Parliament that it only shows the honing of the vigilance capabilities of our agencies that are constantly pushing the boundaries and unearthing the cartels that were hidden earlier.
The data speaks for itself. Between 2004 and 2014, around 25 lakh kg of narcotics worth ?40,000 crore were seized. But under the Modi government (2014–2025), seizures have exceeded 1 crore kg, worth over ?1.5 lakh crore. The efforts didn’t stop at confiscation—more than 31.5 lakh kg of drugs have been destroyed, 10 times higher than in previous years. I myself was present drug destruction program conducted in different Parts of the nation. If we talk about the Northeast in 2022 I was present in a program to destroy 40,000 kgs of drugs in Assam.
As synthetic drugs emerge as a global threat, India has responded decisively—seizing ?14,000 crore worth, dismantling 41 illegal labs, and arresting major traffickers. In just 12 key cases, 29 convictions have already been secured.
Under the leadership of Modi Ji, since 2019, a four-tier NCORD system from the apex to the district level tackling the menace in every strata of the governance. National mechanism has been in place to address the problem on multiple fronts, including a dedicated task force to curb maritime smuggling.
Q. Congress is repeatedly claiming that the government has deliberately omitted any mention of caste in the official notification. What’s your take on this?
When it comes to the caste census, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and I have consistently affirmed that it will be conducted. Let me be explicit once again, the upcoming national census will include the caste census. This isn’t mere rhetoric; the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued three official press releases—on 30th April, 4th June, and 15th June 2025, clearly stating that caste-based data collection will be part of the regular census exercise.
Let me also make this absolutely clear: the issuance of a government notification reflects clear intent and commitment. There should be no room for doubt or misinterpretation. We are fully committed to ensuring that the caste census is carried out as an integral part of the forthcoming census.
Q. TejaswiYadav has said that if RJD comes to office they will not implement the Waqf Law.
A. Waqf is now a law of the land and nothing can stop it from being implemented. A democratic set up cannot function with such a mindset. The opposition’s resistance to the Waqf Amendment Bill clearly exposes their long-standing agenda of appeasement and vote-bank politics. If we look back, in 2013, the Waqf law was suddenly made extremely one-sided, not for the sake of justice or reform, but simply to appease a section of voters. If a law like this had been made back then to protect the properties of poor people, we wouldn’t have needed to introduce a new one now. Let’s talk about the facts. Between 1913 and 2013, Waqf Board land was around 18 lakh acres. Around 20,000 properties were officially leased. But shockingly, by 2025, those same records showed zero leased properties, meaning those lands were sold off. That alone raises serious red flags.
Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, appeasement can no longer override justice. This bill is a step towards fairness, clarity, and protecting the rights of every citizen. The opposition is misleading the Muslims.