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Informist, Monday, Mar. 23, 2026

 

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--PM Modi: Situation in West Asia is "worrying"
--CONTEXT: PM Modi speaks in Lok Sabha on West Asia conflict
--PM Modi: West Asia crisis seen impacting global econ
--PM Modi: West Asia conflict bringing up unprecedented econ crisis
--PM Modi: Need to give unified voice from India on West Asia crisis
--PM Modi: Have spoken twice to leaders of West Asia countries on conflict
--PM Modi: Missions in West Asia crisis-hit nations working to help Indians
--PM Modi: 375,000 Indians have returned since start of West Asia war
--PM Modi: India imports crude, gas, fert via Strait of Hormuz
--PM Modi: Working to ensure impact of oil, gas shortage is not too high
--PM Modi: Have prioritised supply of LPG to domestic users
--PM Modi: Continuously working on availability of petrol, diesel
--PM Modi: Have worked on diversifying energy sources in last 11 years
--PM Modi: In touch with various oil suppliers across the world
--PM Modi: Talking to global partners over India's energy needs
--PM Modi: Ethanol blending has helped reduce oil imports
--PM Modi:Alternate fuel use in mobility helping India cut imported oil bill
--PM Modi: In talks with all sectoral stakeholders amid West Asia crisis
--PM Modi: Made adequate arrangements for fertiliser amid West Asia crisis
--PM Modi: To support farmers in every way possible amid West Asia crisis
--PM Modi: Have urged global leaders to help de-escalate West Asian tensions
--PM Modi: Working to ensure safe passage of ships coming to India
--PM Modi: On alert against malpractices, black-marketing amid W Asia crisis

 

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday termed the situation in West Asia "worrying" and said the military conflict in the region is throwing up "unprecedented" economic, energy, security, and humanitarian challenges. He said India is coping with these challenges but warned that the difficult global conditions caused by the conflict are likely to persist for a long time. He called upon the country to remain prepared and united, as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The prime minister said the conflict has affected India as a large portion of the country's crude oil, gas, and fertiliser imports have to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. As mitigating measures, the government has prioritised the supply of liquified petroleum gas to domestic users, he said. It is also in touch with energy suppliers across the world, besides ramping up LPG production locally, he said.

 

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the prime minister said the government is trying to procure oil and gas from "wherever possible". He said India has diversified its energy imports in the past 11 years. Earlier, India imported crude oil, liquified natural gas, and LPG from 27 countries, now it does so from 41, he said.

 

Furthermore, Modi said, India has created oil reserves for such difficult times and today boasts of 5.3 million tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves. This is besides the oil reserves of the refining companies. He said the government is also working to increase its strategic oil reserves to 6.5 million tonnes.

 

He said India is keeping an eye on shipping routes around the Persian Gulf region to ensure that ships carrying energy and other merchandise reach Indian ports safely. "We are in touch with our global partners so that our maritime corridors are safe," Modi said. "Thanks to these efforts, several of our ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz have reached India."

 

The prime minister said the policy of increasing the production of ethanol and blending it with petrol is also helping India in this moment of crisis. "We have reached a level of mixing 20% ethanol," he said. "It has helped reduce our oil imports by 45 million barrels." The rapid electrification of Indian Railways has helped to save 1.80 billion litres of diesel imports, he added.

 

Modi said the government has focused on electric mobility. The scale at which India is working on alternative fuels will secure the country's future, he told the Lok Sabha. The government is in talks with all sectoral stakeholders amid the crisis, he said. "I am sure with coordination between the government and industry, we will be able to face this crisis effectively," he said.

 

Modi also assured the House that the government had made adequate arrangements for fertilisers for the kharif season and it will support farmers in every way possible.

 

He called upon Parliament to speak in one voice on the situation. "I have personally spoken with all leaders of West Asia involved in this conflict," he said. "India has opposed attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. Attacks on commercial ships and blockade of critical waterways like the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable." New Delhi has also urged global leaders to help de-escalate the situation.

 

Modi said Indian missions in the conflict zone are helping the country's nationals there and more than 375,000 Indians have returned safely since the hostilities broke out on Feb. 28.

 

The prime minister also drew the attention of the House to the internal security dimension of the crisis. He said all security agencies have been placed on alert and security across all domains--coastal, border, cyber, and strategic installations--is being tightened.  End

 

Reported by Asim Khan

Edited by Rajeev Pai

 

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