Middle East crisis: PM Modi to hold talks with CMs tomorrow, review preparedness

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with chief ministers on Friday evening to review preparedness and response plans in light of the ongoing Middle East conflict.The interaction, to be conducted via video conferencing, is aimed at ensuring coordination between the Centre and states and assessing readiness across key sectors, including supply chains, energy availability and emergency response systems. The meeting will emphasise a "Team India" approach, with the Prime Minister expected to underline the need for seamless coordination and information-sharing between the Union government and states amid evolving global uncertainties. States currently going to assembly elections will not be part of the interaction due to the model code of conduct. These include West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Instead, a separate meeting for chief secretaries of these states will be convened through the cabinet secretariat to review preparedness measures.The outreach comes as the Centre keeps a close watch on potential ripple effects of the Middle East conflict on India’s economy and fuel supplies.On Wednesday, the ministers briefed the opposition parties in Parliament at an all-party meet.