West Asia crisis: PM Modi held a meeting with Chief Ministers, stressed on the spirit of ‘Team India’

New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of all the states except the election states and reviewed the preparations and plans in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. According to official sources, the purpose of this meeting held through digital medium was to ensure coordination in the spirit of ‘Team India’. The Prime Minister held his first meeting with Chief Ministers on the West Asia conflict since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28. Iran has also retaliated against Israel and Gulf countries.

Chief Ministers who attended the meeting included N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Revanth Reddy (Telangana), Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat), Omar Abdullah (Jammu and Kashmir), Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh), Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh) and other chief ministers. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah were also present in the meeting. In this regard, a source said, “The Prime Minister spoke to the Chief Ministers through video conference and reviewed the preparations and plans of the states. The main objective of the meeting was to ensure better coordination in the spirit of ‘Team India’.”

Chief Ministers of election-bound states did not attend the meeting due to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The Cabinet Secretariat will hold a separate meeting with the Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Union Territory Puducherry. On March 25, the government held a meeting with the leaders of all political parties and informed them about the situation in West Asia and discussed in detail the steps taken.

In a statement given in the Lok Sabha on March 23, the Prime Minister had said that the global situation arising due to the West Asia conflict may persist for a long time and the country needs to remain united and prepared, as it was during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pointing out the internal security aspect of the crisis, he warned that some elements may try to take advantage of such a situation. Modi had said that all security agencies have been kept on alert and the security of coastal, border, cyber and strategic targets is being further strengthened.

“Whether it is coastal security, border security, cyber security or strategic locations, the security of all is being strengthened,” he said. Appealing for patience, restraint and vigilance, Modi urged people to beware of those spreading rumours, black marketing or hoarding. He urged the state governments to keep strict vigil and take immediate action against such elements. In his speech in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in the collective strength of the country, saying that when every government and every citizen moves together, “we can face every challenge, this is our identity and strength.”

In a media event on the same day, Modi said that even after Covid-19, challenges have been continuously increasing and there has not been a year when India and Indians have not been tested. He said, “But with the combined efforts of 1.4 billion Indians, India is moving ahead in the face of every crisis.” Modi said that India is moving forward with new confidence and instead of postponing the challenges, it is facing them boldly.