Prime Minister Narendra Modi Engages State Leaders on Global Crisis Preparedness
New Delhi: Prime Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday convened a virtual meeting with chief ministers from across India, excluding those from poll-bound states, to review national preparedness and state-level strategies in response to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
The Chenab Times has learned that the meeting was convened with the objective of fostering a coordinated approach and ensuring synergy of efforts among states, embodying the spirit of ‘Team India’. This marks the first instance of the Prime Minister holding such a high-level consultation with chief ministers specifically concerning the West Asia conflict, which escalated following an attack on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions by Iran against its Gulf neighbours and Israel.
Among the chief ministers who participated in the video conference were N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh, Revanth Reddy of Telangana, Bhagwant Mann of Punjab, Bhupendra Patel of Gujarat, Omar Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh, and Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah were also present during the deliberations.
Sources indicated that the discussions focused on assessing the current preparedness of states and outlining future plans to address any potential ramifications of the West Asia conflict on India. The emphasis was placed on ensuring a unified national response.
Chief ministers of states currently undergoing elections were not included in this meeting to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct. However, the Cabinet Secretariat is scheduled to hold a separate meeting with the chief secretaries of the poll-bound states of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry to discuss similar preparedness measures.
This consultative process follows an all-party meeting held on March 25, where political leaders were briefed on the government’s assessment of the West Asia situation and the steps being taken to manage it. During an address to the Lok Sabha on March 23, Prime Minister Modi had acknowledged the enduring global challenges posed by the conflict, urging the nation to remain prepared and united, drawing parallels with the collective resilience shown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister had also highlighted the internal security dimensions of the crisis, warning of attempts by certain elements to exploit such situations. He informed the House that all security agencies have been placed on high alert, with enhanced security measures being implemented across coastal areas, borders, cyberspace, and strategic installations.
Prime Minister Modi had called for patience, restraint, and vigilance, cautioning citizens against misinformation and malpractices such as black-marketing and hoarding. He urged state governments to maintain strict monitoring and take swift action against individuals or groups attempting to exploit the circumstances.
Expressing confidence in the nation’s collective strength, Prime Minister Modi had stated in his Lok Sabha address that when all levels of government and every citizen work together, India can overcome any challenge. He further remarked in a subsequent media event that India continues to confront mounting global challenges with renewed confidence and a proactive approach, rather than deferring them.
The Chenab Times News Desk