Modi to Chair CCPA, CCS Meetings Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead critical meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) and Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in New Delhi, as India-Pakistan tensions reach a boiling point following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The attack, linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has prompted India to adopt an aggressive stance, with these meetings set to shape the nation’s strategic and diplomatic response.

Role of CCPA in Political Strategy
The CCPA, comprising senior ministers like Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, is India’s apex body for political decision-making. It addresses issues impacting national and international policy, such as India’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and expulsion of Pakistani diplomats. Today’s meeting will likely focus on aligning political strategies, managing domestic sentiment, and countering Pakistan’s narrative globally, ensuring a unified government approach amid protests in Kashmir and public outrage.

CCS: Steering National Security
The CCS, including Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, is tasked with safeguarding India’s security. It oversees military and intelligence operations, crucial after Modi’s directive granting the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to target Pakistan’s terror infrastructure. The CCS will review ongoing operations along the Line of Control, where ceasefire violations have spiked, and assess intelligence on Pakistan’s military buildup, especially after Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar’s claim of an imminent Indian strike within 36 hours.

Global Implications and Challenges
These meetings occur as the international community, including the UN, urges de-escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The CCPA and CCS will balance India’s resolve to crush terrorism with diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan, while avoiding a broader conflict. With Modi briefing global leaders and Pakistan reinforcing its defenses, the outcomes of today’s deliberations will be pivotal in determining whether the region averts a crisis or edges closer to confrontation.