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Informist, Tuesday, Mar. 24, 2026

 

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--PM Modi: In touch with Iran, US, Israel to de-escalate West Asia crisis
--CONTEXT: PM Modi speaks in Rajya Sabha on West Asia conflict
--PM Modi: Discussing with Iran opening up of Strait of Hormuz
--PM Modi: India advocating dialogue to restore peace in West Asia
--PM Modi: Trying to bring gas, crude, fertiliser shipments safely to India
--PM Modi: See severe repercussions if West Asia war prolongs
--PM Modi: Have enough capacity to source, store crude oil
--PM Modi: Effort is not to depend only on single source of energy
--PM Modi: Working to expedite domestic shipbuilding, overhauling
--PM Modi: Taking steps to cut import dependence for rare earths, API
--PM Modi: India econ fundamentals are strong
--PM Modi: Constantly monitoring evolving global scenario
--PM Modi: West Asia crisis to test India's econ resilience
--PM Modi: Want states to keep close eye on hoarding, black-marketing
--PM Modi: Need to be ready to deal with challenges posed by West Asia war
--PM Modi: See strong indication of long lasting impact of West Asia war

 

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said India should brace for the long-lasting effects of the hostilities in West Asia as the region is a major source of energy for India and for the world. Making a statement in the Rajya Sabha, Modi said the government is trying its best to mitigate the impacts but the crisis is "going to test India's economic resilience".

 

"I want to tell our citizens that we have to be ready for every challenge coming our way," Modi told the House of the States. "There is strong possibility of the ill-effects of this war lasting for long time."

 

He called upon state governments to rise to the occasion and work with the Union government as "Team India, just as we did in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic". He asked the states to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to citizens and to take strict action against black marketeers and hoarders.

 

"We have to face the situation with total patience and a cool mind," Modi said, adding that the government is "fully alert" and "making strategy with complete seriousness".

 

West Asia is in the throes of a military conflict that broke out after an aerial attack on Tehran by the US-Israel combine on Feb. 28. Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf Cooperation Council member countries and its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has affected the production and supply of crude oil and gas.

 

Modi said India is in touch with Iran, Israel, and the US, apart from the other countries in the Persian Gulf region, to de-escalate the situation. He said New Delhi has advocated dialogue to restore peace in the region. He said the country is also discussing with Iran the opening up of the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, 22 Indian ships with 600 sailors are stuck in the region.

 

The prime minister said India is trying to bring gas, crude oil, and fertiliser shipments safely to India. The country has enough capacity to store crude oil and has strategic petroleum reserves of 5.3 million tonnes.

 

"Over the past few years, the government has tried to decrease its dependence on other countries," he said. "We will have to become self-reliant, that is the only option." Modi said India is trying to ramp up production of liquefied petroleum gas domestically. He said the effort is to not rely on a single kind of fuel and to increase the supply of piped natural gas along with LPG.

 

The prime minister said 90% of India's trade happens on foreign ships, which is risky in times of crisis. That is why the government has started a INR 700-billion project for shipbuilding, maintenance, overhaul, and ship-breaking. He said the government is also working to reduce dependence on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients and rare-earth minerals.

 

The prime minister assured the House that India's economic fundamentals are strong and said the government is constantly monitoring the evolving global scenario.  End

 

Reported by Asim Khan

Edited by Rajeev Pai

 

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