'We are not dalaal nation': Govt hits out at Pakistan at all-party meet on West Asia crisis

The government organised an all-party meeting on Wednesday, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to US President Donald Trump that the war in West Asia must end soon as it is hurting everyone. The government further termed Pakistan a "dalaal" (broker) nation in reference to its mediation, which is being reported in the conflict.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, as per the sources, said that "there is nothing new in Pakistan's mediation efforts in the matter as that country has been "used" by the US since 1981." "We are not a dalaal nation," Jaishankar is said to have told the attendees of the meeting convened at the Parliament complex to discuss the West Asia crisis.

The sources added that the government refuted the Opposition's charge that New Delhi was silent on the situation, asserting that "we are commenting and responding".

When the Iran embassy was opened, the Foreign Secretary visited immediately and signed the condolence book, the government told the parties in response to the Opposition's charge that India displayed moral weakness in not condoling the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader sooner.

The government is also said to have informed the parties that its prime concern is ensuring the security of the Indian diaspora living in the Gulf region and fulfilling domestic energy needs. On that count, the government said it has been successful so far.

The Opposition, however, said the answers provided at the meeting by the government were "unsatisfactory" and demanded that a debate be held on the West Asia situation in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Lashing out at the government, the Congress's Tariq Anwar said Pakistan is performing the mediator's role while "we are still mute spectators". He said there should be a debate on the situation in the Lok Sabha under rule 193 and in the Rajya Sabha under rule 176.

All Union ministers part of the Cabinet Committee on Security -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman -- represented the government. Health Minister JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also attended. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made a presentation before the gathering.

Tariq Anwar and Mukul Wasnik of the Congress, Dharmendra Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Sasmit Patra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) were among the Opposition leaders who attended the meeting.

(With PTI inputs)