The Union government has called an all-party meeting on the West Asian crisis on March 25 at 5 pm, news agencies said on Tuesday. The meeting is likely to be chaired by Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to be present, the agencies said.
The meeting comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia that have disrupted critical maritime corridors and raised concerns about the safety of Indian citizens in the Gulf countries.
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The meeting will come the day after Defense Minister Rajnath Singh presided over a meeting on the evolving situation in the Middle East on Tuesday morning. Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, three service chiefs, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir Kamat and others were present in the meeting.
On Sunday, PM Modi chaired the meeting Cabinet Security Committee (CCS) to review the situation and ongoing and proposed mitigating measures in relation to the ongoing West Asian conflict.
PM Modi has ordered the formation of a group of ministers and secretaries who will work diligently to resolve the resulting situation Western Asia conflict.
The fourth week of conflicts
The conflict in West Asia entered its fourth week, disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the killing of Iran’s 86-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameneiin joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28.
In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing further disruption to the waterway and affecting international energy markets as well as global economic stability.
On March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he had received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia.
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“India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace as soon as possible. Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is critical to the entire world. We have agreed to stay in touch on peace and stability efforts,” Modi said.
Prime Minister addresses Parliament and recalls the days of COVID-19
Prime Minister Modi addressed both Houses of Parliament on the issue.
In his speeches in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Monday and Tuesday on the conflict in West Asia, PM Modi recalled how during the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions to the global supply chain.
“Even in the past, our government has not allowed the burden of global crises to fall on farmers,” Modi said.
PM Modi said that the difficult global conditions caused by this war are likely to persist for a long time and urged the nation to remain prepared and united as it was during The covid-19 pandemic.
Urging patience, restraint and vigilance and warning against those who might try to exploit the situation by spreading falsehoods, engaging in black marketing or hoarding, PM Modi appealed through the House to all state governments to ensure strict vigilance and swift action against such elements.
“When every government and every citizen of this country walks together, we can face every challenge, this is our identity and this is our strength.”
Stating that the war had caused a severe global energy crisis, Modi warned people against abusing the situation and asked state governments to curb black marketing and hoarding.
The government is trying to get gas and oil from all available sources, he said, adding that efforts will continue in the coming days.
He noted that the necessary preparations had been made to ensure an adequate supply of fertilizers.
Rahul Gandhi to not attend the all party meeting
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, told reporters at the Parliament complex that he would not be able to attend the all-party meeting as he is scheduled for a program in Kerala.
The call for an all-party meeting follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to Parliament on the situation in West Asia.
Earlier, the Congress hit out at the prime minister, saying his crisis statement was a “prepared text full of self-praise” for all he said he had achieved in the last 11 years.
The GoM was held on Tuesday
A Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting on the evolving situation in West Asia was held in Parliament on Tuesday, focusing on its potential impact on essential supplies, particularly fertilisers.
The ministers reviewed the current availability and supply of fertilizers and concluded that there is no immediate shortage for the upcoming Kharif season, ensuring that farmers’ demands will be met, news agencies said, citing unnamed sources.
When every government and every citizen of this country walks together we can face every challenge, this is our identity and this is our strength.
The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Health and Fertilizers Minister JP Nadda among others.
