New Delhi

The Centre’s decision to convene an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis triggered a sharp exchange between the BJP and opposition parties on Wednesday, with disagreements over the timing of the meeting and the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meeting, expected to be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, comes amid escalating tensions in the region and follows the prime minister’s address in Parliament on the issue.

Opposition leaders described the move as delayed and questioned why the prime minister would not be present at a discussion of such significance. They argued that during previous global crises, prime ministers like Manmohan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and P. V. Narasimha Rao had personally led similar consultations.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticised the government’s foreign policy approach, calling for greater accountability and engagement. He also echoed remarks by Rahul Gandhi, who has earlier questioned the government’s handling of external affairs.

Other opposition leaders stressed the need for a clearer strategy. Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said the government must take all parties into confidence and outline measures to safeguard supply chains and prevent domestic disruptions. Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav linked the geopolitical situation to issues such as LPG supply concerns, while JMM MP Mahua Maji called for a cautious and consultative approach.

At the same time, BJP leaders pushed back strongly, accusing the opposition of politicising a sensitive geopolitical issue. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi defended the government’s response, asserting that necessary steps were being taken and urging all parties to act responsibly during a global crisis.

He also criticised opposition remarks targeting the government’s foreign policy, questioning whether such statements were constructive. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma said the government has consistently followed a collaborative approach and emphasised India’s growing role on the global stage.

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The exchange highlights the political divide over how the government is handling the evolving West Asia situation, even as both sides prepare to participate in the all-party meeting aimed at discussing its implications for India.