Tensions Between India and Pakistan: Nirmala Sitharaman Issues Advisory to Banks

In light of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman has issued crucial directives to the country's banking system. She instructed that under no circumstances should customers face disruptions and emphasized that steps must be taken to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of banking services.

Nirmala Sitharaman conducted a high-level meeting focused on cybersecurity preparedness with senior officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), various banks, and insurance companies. During the meeting, the Finance Minister issued several key advisories. She urged officials to take all necessary measures to ensure that banking operations, including both physical branch functions and digital services, continue without any hindrance.

She specifically directed that ATMs remain stocked with cash and that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services function smoothly without interruption. The Finance Minister also emphasized the importance of being prepared for emergency situations. She instructed that the safety of bank employees and their families, particularly those stationed in border regions, be given high priority. In this context, she called for effective coordination with security agencies.