Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 8: In the wake of escalating tensions along the western border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday with the Secretaries of key ministries to assess the country’s national security preparedness and ensure seamless inter-ministerial coordination.

The meeting, convened at a time of heightened alert following Operation Sindoor and recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan, focused on institutional readiness, emergency protocols, and infrastructure protection. Thirteen civilians have reportedly died and 59 have been injured, mainly in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, due to heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).

According to an official government release, PM Modi emphasized the importance of maintaining operational continuity and institutional resilience, urging ministries to carry out thorough reviews of essential systems with special attention to emergency response and internal communication frameworks.

Each ministry has identified actionable steps aligned with the broader “whole-of-government” approach, reaffirming their readiness to tackle any emerging threats. Key topics addressed included:

• Strengthening civil defence systems
• Countering misinformation and fake news
• Protecting critical infrastructure
• Coordination with state authorities and grassroots institutions

The Prime Minister stressed the need for continued vigilance, coordinated planning, and transparent communication during this sensitive period. He called for unity across ministries to ensure a robust and cohesive response to any eventuality.

The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, senior PMO officials, and Secretaries from the Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs, External Affairs, Health, Power, Telecom, and Information and Broadcasting.

Prior to the inter-ministerial meeting, PM Modi met National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval at his residence. NSA Doval briefed the Prime Minister on the current border situation, particularly developments in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. The Union Home Secretary also met with the PM following Doval’s briefing.

The government reiterated its commitment to national security, citizen safety, and strategic preparedness in light of continuing threats and provocations.