New Delhi: The government will hold an all-party meeting on Wednesday to brief political leaders regarding the deepening crisis in West Asia. This move comes amidst growing concerns regarding the economic and security implications of this crisis for India.
Scheduled to take place within the Parliament complex at 5 PM, the meeting will be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to brief party leaders on the latest developments and India’s diplomatic stance. This initiative follows statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both Houses of Parliament, in which he described the situation as an “unprecedented crisis” with potentially long-lasting consequences.
The conflict in West Asia has now entered its fourth week, disrupting key maritime trade routes—particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. This tension has triggered volatility in global energy markets and heightened concerns regarding supply chains and inflation, prompting the government to intensify consultations with political stakeholders.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been pressuring the government to hold a detailed discussion on this issue in Parliament. Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, criticized the government’s decision to opt for a briefing rather than a full-fledged debate, asserting that, given the gravity of the situation, a comprehensive discussion in the House is essential.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also attacked the government, alleging that India’s foreign policy has become “weak” and is now driven by private interests rather than national interests. While welcoming the move to convene the all-party meeting, Gandhi stated that he would be unable to attend due to a pre-scheduled engagement in Kerala.
This all-party meeting is taking place just one day after a high-level security review meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Several senior officials—including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the chiefs of the three armed forces, and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir Kamat—participated in this review meeting, the objective of which was to take stock of the rapidly evolving situation in the region.
As geopolitical tensions escalate and their global repercussions become increasingly evident, this meeting is expected to serve as a crucial platform for the government. Through this forum, the government intends to brief opposition leaders on the current situation and seek to build a broad political consensus regarding India’s strategy for addressing this crisis.
