Congress Demands Full Debate on West Asia Situation in Parliament; Cites 2003 Iraq Precedent

• Congress demands a full-fledged debate on the West Asia situation in Parliament, not just a ministerial statement.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to make a statement on the issue in both Houses on March 9.
• Jairam Ramesh cited the 2003 Lok Sabha debate on the US invasion of Iraq under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a precedent.
• The opposition seeks an opportunity for MPs to seek clarifications and ask questions, which ministerial statements don't allow.
• India is monitoring the situation, with over 52,000 Indians returned; West Asia remains volatile with US/Israel and Iran exchanges.