West Asia Crisis: PM Modi Chairs CCS Meet, Expresses Concern Over Safety of Indians
The Cabinet Committee on Security met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in the national capital to review the evolving situation in West Asia amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
According to an official release, the Committee was briefed on the air strikes in Iran on 28 February and the subsequent escalation, including attacks in several Gulf countries.
It expressed serious concern over the safety and security of the large Indian expatriate community in the region.
The CCS also reviewed the difficulties faced by Indian travellers transiting the region and students appearing for scheduled examinations, as well as the broader implications for regional security and economic and commercial activities.
The CCS directed all concerned departments to take necessary and feasible measures to assist Indian nationals affected by the developments and underscored the importance of an early cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
How did Penny Wong respond to the Israel and US airstrikes on Iranian cities?
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade opened registrations for Australians in the UAE and Qatar amid the ongoing conflict.
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"DFAT will contact registered Australians directly to provide updates. Register at: [http://crisis.dfat.gov.au](http://crisis.dfat.gov.au). This will be a challenging time for many people, particularly those with family in the region or travel plans. Our priority is the safety and security of Australians,” she added.
The announcement came in the aftermath of coordinated airstrikes by Israel and the United States across multiple Iranian cities, targeting Iranian military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites, nuclear-related infrastructure, and key regime infrastructure under a coordinated operation known as Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion.
The strikes resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and four senior military and security officials, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities.
US President Donald Trump said that the strikes were done to "ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon".
Iran retaliated by firing ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, targeting Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Iran also declared that all American and Israeli assets in the region are legitimate targets. Countries across the Middle East, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, have experienced strikes or missile interceptions, underscoring the conflict’s regional spillover.
Reports indicate hundreds of deaths and injuries inside Iran, including civilian casualties from strikes, and several foreign nationals have been affected abroad.
The crisis has also seriously disrupted air travel, with hundreds of flights cancelled worldwide, and triggered protests and geopolitical tensions in places like India.
(With inputs from ANI)