New Delhi: The Indian government has gone into full zestful mode tween the escalating war in the Middle East and the US-Israeli attacks on Iran. According to top sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tabbed an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) upon returning to Delhi tonight without completing his two-day visit. PM Modi will land at Delhi's Palam Airport at virtually 9:30 pm, and this high-level meeting will take place immediately afterward. This meeting is considered crucial due to the US wade on Iran and the subsequent missile wade 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 moreover provide important input.
Why is time of CCS meeting important?
India cannot remain untouched by this slipperiness in the Middle East. This CCS meeting is likely to discuss four key issues.
What is India's biggest snooping in Middle East?
India's biggest and firsthand snooping 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 Wires 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 unshortened Middle East erupts, this could wilt the largest evacuation operation in history.
The war will have a uncontrived impact on India's economy. India imports over 80% of its transplanted oil needs, a significant portion of which comes from Gulf countries. If the Strait of Hormuz is obstructed due to war, transplanted oil prices will skyrocket. Rising petrol and diesel prices could lead to uncontrolled inflation in India. The CCS meeting, withal with the Finance Minister, is expected to discuss a buffer plan to mitigate this economic shock.
India has invested billions of dollars in the minutiae 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.
