Parliament’s Budget Session resumes today, EAM Jaishankar to speak on West Asia situation

The second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session is set to begin today, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar scheduled to make a statement in the Lok Sabha on “The Situation in West Asia.”

The statement comes amid heightened global attention following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory strikes targeting American military bases across several West Asian countries and Israeli assets in the region.

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With the conflict escalating over the past week, Jaishankar is expected to brief the House on recent developments. Meanwhile, the Opposition members have demanded a full-fledged discussion on the unfolding situation. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the government’s decision to limit the matter to a statement, arguing that Members of Parliament should be allowed to raise questions.

Separately, Opposition parties are preparing to move a resolution seeking a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. According to the List of Business, 118 Opposition MPs have signed the motion, accusing the Speaker of “partisan” conduct after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was allegedly not allowed to speak in the House. The resolution will be introduced if it receives the required permission from the House.

Expected proceedings in Rajya Sabha

In the Rajya Sabha, the session will resume with obituary references to Mukul Roy, Janardhan Waghmare, and HK Dua.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai will also table a copy of the proclamation issued by the President under Article 356(2) of the Constitution on February 4, revoking the earlier proclamation of February 13, 2025, which had imposed President’s Rule in Manipur with effect from February 4.

The Upper House is also expected to take up a discussion on the functioning of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The second phase of the Budget Session will run until April 2, during which key legislative business and the Union Budget for 2026–27 are expected to be taken up. The session began on January 28 with the President’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses and comprises 30 sittings spread over 65 days.

(With inputs from ANI)