New Delhi, Mar 29: The Union Government initiated a coordinated review mechanism to assess the evolving situation in West Asia and its potential implications for India, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairing the first meeting of an Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) in the national capital.
The meeting, held at Kartavya Bhawan-2, brought together senior Cabinet Ministers to deliberate on sectoral vulnerabilities and policy responses amid ongoing developments in the region. Among those present were Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Health and Chemicals Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, and Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
According to an official statement, the IGoM conducted a comprehensive assessment of the situation and examined its impact across multiple sectors of the Indian economy. Singh underscored the need for a coordinated and forward-looking approach, urging ministries to remain alert and responsive to changing circumstances.
Presentations were made by seven Empowered Groups of Secretaries (EGoS), which outlined sector-specific challenges and detailed measures already in place to mitigate risks. The Defence Minister directed these groups to sustain close monitoring and adopt a medium- to long-term preparedness framework, while ensuring swift and coordinated policy action.
He emphasised that inter-ministerial coordination must remain seamless and that all policy measures should be executed within defined timelines. Ministers were also encouraged to provide inputs to strengthen the country’s readiness in the face of uncertainties linked to the West Asia situation.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of coordination with State governments and district administrations, particularly in ensuring timely communication of policy decisions. The group discussed the need to evaluate sector-wise exposure and vulnerabilities, including energy, supply chains and public distribution systems.
In a move aimed at countering misinformation, the IGoM directed all ministries and departments to disseminate verified updates and advisories through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s WhatsApp channel. The objective, officials said, is to ensure accurate and timely information reaches citizens while curbing the spread of rumours and false narratives.
Following the meeting, Singh stated on social media that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains committed to protecting citizens from any adverse fallout arising from the developments in West Asia.
The formation of the IGoM and its first review meeting indicate a structured approach by the Centre to track geopolitical developments and safeguard domestic interests through coordinated governance measures.
