HM Amit Shah to chair all-party meeting on West Asia conflict

New Delhi — Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair an all-party meeting on Wednesday evening to brief political leaders about the evolving crisis in West Asia and its possible economic and security implications for India.

Around five to six ministers, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, are expected to attend the meeting on behalf of the government. Vikram Misri will present a detailed briefing on the latest developments in the region. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. inside the Parliament complex. 

The initiative follows remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both Houses of Parliament, where he described the situation as an “unprecedented crisis” with potentially long-lasting consequences.

The West Asia conflict has now entered its fourth week, disrupting major maritime trade routes, especially through the Strait of Hormuz. The tensions have led to volatility in global energy markets and raised concerns about supply chains and inflation, prompting the government to step up consultations with political stakeholders.

Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, have demanded a detailed discussion in Parliament. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the government for opting for a briefing instead of a full debate, saying the gravity of the situation warrants a comprehensive discussion.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also criticised the government, alleging that India’s foreign policy has become compromised. While welcoming the all-party meeting, he said he would be unable to attend due to a prior engagement in Kerala.

The meeting comes a day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level security review attended by Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs, and senior officials, including Samir Kamat of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

With geopolitical tensions escalating, the all-party meeting is expected to provide a platform for the government to brief opposition leaders and seek broader political consensus on India’s approach to the crisis.

With inputs from IANS