PM re-emphasizes self-reliance in Defence, briefed on Operation Ganga evacuations

Photo Credit : Government of India,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on March 13 to review India’s security preparedness and the prevailing global scenario in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 

“The Prime Minister was briefed on latest developments and different aspects of India’s security preparedness in the border areas as well as in the maritime and air domain,” according to a Government statement. 

Those present at the meeting included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The Service Chiefs are also reported to have briefed the CCS.

“The Prime Minister was also briefed on the latest developments in Ukraine, including the details of Operation Ganga to evacuate Indian nationals, along with some citizens of India’s neighbouring countries, from Ukraine,” the statement added. 

Modi directed that all possible efforts should be made to bring back the mortal remains of Naveen Shekharappa, who died in Kharkiv.

Reports also suggested that Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of self-reliance in the Defence sector to not only strengthen national security but also enhance economic growth.  

The Prime Minister was reportedly given a detailed overview of the progress in domestic capability in Defence. He also emphasised the need for integrating the latest technology in the security domain.