Describing terrorist attacks in the country, including the recent one in Mumbai, as “threat to the very idea of India”, new Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday assured the nation that the Government will make a determined response to tackle the situation.Addressing his first press conference as Home Minister, immediately after taking charge on Monday evening, Chidambaram said he was happy that all political parties had shown a collective sense of purpose in dealing with terrorism.“These attacks have posed a threat to the very idea of India, a threat to the soul of India that we know, that is secular, plural, open and tolerant,” Chidambaram said.“But I have no doubt that ultimately the idea of India will triumph. I can assure that we will respond with all the determination and resolve to the grave threats posed to the Indian nation,” he said.Chidambaram, who was named the Home Minister following the resignation of Shivraj Patil in the wake of terrorist strikes in Mumbai, makes a return to the Home Ministry after two decades. He was Minister of State in charge of Internal Security in the Rajiv Gandhi Cabinet from 1986 to 1989.Earlier in the day, Chidambaram held a meeting with National Security Advisor M K Narayanan who briefed the new minister on the internal security situation. He also held a separate meeting with Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and other senior officials of the ministry where he was told about all the current issues.
