The Union government called an all-party conference on Thursday, April 24, in response to the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed at least 26 persons, the majority of them were tourists. Home Minister Amit Shah will inform leaders from all parties on the government’s response and the current security situation during the meeting, which will be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is also anticipated to speak at the conference, which is taking place at the Parliament Annexe Building in New Delhi, and provide an overview of India’s diplomatic response to the attack.
This high-level meeting was called in response to several appeals for an all-party conversation to create a unified front against terrorism from opposition parties, including Congress.
Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the opposition and president of the Congress, had particularly called on the Center to hold such a conference, stressing the importance of a united front in the fight against terrorism. Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh responded by contacting leaders of other parties to guarantee widespread involvement and agreement.
The government is anticipated to provide comprehensive threat assessments, intelligence assessments, and the measures implemented to protect visitors and citizens in areas of high risk at the conference. Sharing details on diplomatic outreach and international coordination initiatives carried out in the wake of the attack is also on the agenda. While it is expected that opposition leaders will voice support for the government’s efforts, they may also voice worries about possible security readiness shortcomings and intelligence failuresPrime Minister Narendra Modi, who, together with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, halted foreign tours to return to India and supervise the reaction, presided over a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security where these choices were made.
In order to present a unified national face during a crisis and make sure that the opposition is properly informed on the government’s position and actions, the all-party meeting is regarded as an essential step.
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India has taken rapid and severe action against Pakistan, suspending the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, expelling Pakistani military attachés, downgrading diplomatic ties, and ordering the immediate closure of the Attari land-transit stationIn order to promote unity and transparency during significant national security events, such as the 2019 Pulwama terror attack and the 2020 India-China border standoff, such conventions have previously been observed. The meeting serves as a reminder of the seriousness of the situation and the government’s will to respond swiftly while also allowing for democratic consultation during national emergencies.
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