New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened multiple high-level meetings today, including the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), in response to escalating tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. This marks the first CCPA meeting since the 2019 Pulwama attack, underscoring the gravity of the current situation.
The Pahalgam attack on April 22 resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese tourist. The assailants, identified as members of the militant group Kashmir Resistance, reportedly demanded that victims recite Islamic verses before executing them, raising religious tensions. India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, a claim Pakistan denies, and has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In response, India has taken significant retaliatory actions against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing a key land border, and cancelling a visa exemption scheme for Pakistani citizens. Pakistan, in turn, has closed its airspace to Indian airlines and has indicated the possibility of reciprocal actions. Both nations have reported increased ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), raising concerns over potential military escalation.
The CCPA, often referred to as the “Super Cabinet,” is the most powerful group in the Indian cabinet. It is responsible for making decisions on major political and economic issues, including foreign policy and internal security matters. Today’s meeting was particularly significant, as it was the first since the Pulwama attack in 2019, where India decided to revoke Pakistan’s ‘Most Favoured Nation’ trade status and carried out an airstrike on terrorist camps in Balakot.
The members of the CCPA include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and other senior ministers. The committee plays a crucial role in coordinating the government’s response to national security threats and formulating policies to address them.
As the situation continues to develop, both India and Pakistan face mounting international pressure to de-escalate tensions and avoid further conflict. The global community has urged both nations to engage in dialogue and pursue peaceful resolutions to their longstanding issues
