Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while discussing the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha on March 27, made it clear that the government is fully prepared to welcome foreign nationals who wish to visit the country for the purpose of tourism, education, healthcare or business. The minister stressed that the government will ban the entry of only those individuals whose intentions are likely to pose a threat to national security.
Shah said, “The basic principle of the Narendra Modi government is that it will stop only those foreign nationals from entering India whose intentions are harmful. The country will not be considered a dharamshala, and those who are determined to contribute to the country’s development will be welcomed.” He said that the proposed bill will strengthen the foundation of the country’s security, as well as infuse new energy in the economic development, trade, health and education sectors. This law will ensure that the updated information related to the entry of foreigners is available with the government, so that promptness and control can be maintained in the security system.
The minister also pointed to recent developments in Myanmar and Bangladesh and expressed concern over the rise in illegal entry and asylum seekers. He said the rise in the number of such individuals entering India for personal gain has raised questions about national security. Shah warned that if any infiltrator is caught fomenting unrest in the country, strict and decisive action will be taken against him.
The Government believes that this Bill will not only provide a solution to the current security challenges but will also be a significant step towards making India one of the most developed nations in the world by 2047. The Minister assured that in future too, detailed information of every foreign national entering the country will be made available to ensure protection of national interests.
