Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday had a series of meetings with National Security Advisor M K Narayanan who briefed the new home minister about the situation in the country after Pakistan-based terrorists attacked Mumbai last week killing 195 people.
Chidambaram promised to answer questions in detail. "I will listen to some of the questions. The rest I will answer at our next meeting," he said.
The only question he answered was from rediff.com. When asked to describe his first and second terms, he said, "I'm older, but whether I am wiser is for you to judge."
Just hours into his new assignment, Chidambaram on Monday said that India is going to respond with determination and resolve the grave threat posed to the nation.
"I came to brief the new home minister on the situation," Narayanan told reporters emerging from the meeting. Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta had met Chidambaram on Sunday and gave him a briefing on the ministry.
Talking to newsmen, Chidambaram said there was deep sense of anguish and shock among the people of India.
"I have heard the anguished voice of India," he added. He referred to the all-party meet held on Sunday and said that it expressed the view that separately and together there is and will be unity of purpose in dealing with all situations.
"I welcome this sense of purpose displayed at the all-party meeting convened by the prime minister," he said.
"I want to assure the people of India that we will respond with determination and resolve to the grave threat posed to the Indian nation," he added.
"This is a threat to the very idea of India, soul of India, the country we all love," he said.
The home minister said he needs the support of the state governments and sub-state organisations.