Amid US-Israeli attacks on Iran, PM Modi calls CCS meeting; India's major interests at stake

New Delhi: The Indian government has gone into full alert mode amid the escalating war in the Middle East and the US-Israeli attacks on Iran. According to top sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) upon returning to Delhi tonight after completing his two-day visit. PM Modi will land at Delhi's Palam Airport at around 9:30 pm, and this high-level meeting will take place immediately afterward. This meeting is considered crucial due to the US attack on Iran and the subsequent missile attack on Gulf countries.

What is the CCS, and why is this meeting so important?

The Cabinet Committee on Security is the highest and most powerful committee of the government, making the most significant and sensitive decisions related to national security, defense, diplomacy, and foreign affairs. The committee is chaired by the Prime Minister himself. It includes the Defense Minister, Home Minister, Foreign Minister, and Finance Minister. The National Security Advisor (NSA) and the chiefs of the three armed forces also provide important input.

Why is time of CCS meeting important?

India cannot remain untouched by this crisis in the Middle East. This CCS meeting is likely to discuss four key issues.

What is India's biggest concern in Middle East?

India's biggest and immediate concern is its citizens stranded there. Approximately 8 to 9 million Indian citizens work in the Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait) and the Middle East. If a war breaks out between Iran and the US-Israel and spreads throughout the region, the lives of these millions of Indians could be at risk. The meeting, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, will discuss a master plan for safely evacuating Indians if the situation worsens. India has previously conducted successful operations like 'Operation Ganga' and 'Operation Ajay,' but if the entire Middle East erupts, this could become the largest evacuation operation in history.

The war will have a direct impact on India's economy. India imports over 80% of its crude oil needs, a significant portion of which comes from Gulf countries. If the Strait of Hormuz is blocked due to war, crude oil prices will skyrocket. Rising petrol and diesel prices could lead to uncontrolled inflation in India. The CCS meeting, along with the Finance Minister, is expected to discuss a buffer plan to mitigate this economic shock.

India has invested billions of dollars in the development of Iran's Chabahar Port. This port is India's gateway to Central Asia and Afghanistan, as it bypasses Pakistan. If the US and Israel destroy Iran's infrastructure, both India's dream and investment could be jeopardized.