Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 12: In view of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis convened a crucial Civil-Military Coordination meeting at his official residence ‘Varsha’ on Monday to bolster preparedness and inter-agency cooperation.

The high-level meeting was aimed at strengthening coordination between the state government and the Indian Armed Forces to ensure security of critical infrastructure and urban centres, especially Mumbai, considered the financial backbone of the country.

Praising the Indian Armed Forces for the ‘unprecedented’ success of Operation Sindoor, CM Fadnavis said, “I salute the armed forces. Mumbai is extremely important as it is the state's financial capital. Intelligence sharing will be extremely important and adequate care needs to be taken on the cyber security front.”

He stressed the urgency of improved cyber security and seamless intelligence exchange. The Chief Minister also called for the creation of an independent mechanism to ensure regular communication and operational coordination between civilian and military leadership.

Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with top defence officers including Lt Gen Pawan Chadha (Army), Rear Admiral Anil Jaggi (Navy), and Air Vice Marshal Rajat Mohan (IAF), participated in the meeting.

Key officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Bombay Port Trust (BPT), National Stock Exchange (NSE), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Home Guards, and state intelligence departments were also present.

Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla and Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, along with the Chief Secretary and heads of various state departments, contributed to the deliberations on enhancing state-defence synergy amid ongoing regional security concerns.