As tensions in the Middle East persist, the central government has called an all-party meeting on Wednesday to discuss both the ongoing security situation and the escalating energy crisis.
The government’s decision comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on Monday, warning that the challenging global conditions arising from the West Asia conflict are likely to continue for an extended period. Modi urged nations to stay prepared and united, just as they had during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The situation in West Asia is concerning. This conflict has been ongoing for over three weeks, severely impacting the global economy and people's lives. As a result, the world is calling for an early resolution," the prime minister stated.
Modi is expected to deliver a statement in the Rajya Sabha today on the ongoing conflicts and the country’s energy security.
Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a review meeting on India’s defence preparedness in light of the evolving security situation. The meeting was attended by senior officials such as Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and DRDO Chairman Samir Kamat.
The conflict began on February 28 following large-scale US-Israeli airstrikes in Iran that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf countries that host US military bases.
Iran has also effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, causing a worldwide energy crisis and contributing to severe inflation in many countries.
India is also feeling the pressure, with several commercial establishments, including hotels and restaurants, forced to close due to an LPG shortage. The government has been in talks with Iran officials to resolve disruptions in maritime traffic, and has managed to ensure some vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports indicate that two LPG carriers from the UAE and a crude oil tanker from Saudi Arabia are en route to Indian ports via the Strait of Hormuz.
On Wednesday, the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker Jag Laadki successfully docked at Adani Ports Mundra in Gujarat. Earlier, two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, safely navigated the Strait of Hormuz and arrived in India on March 16 and 17, respectively. Together, the two vessels brought approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG.
In a further relief to the LPG crisis, a cargo ship carrying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Texas, USA, arrived at New Mangalore Port on Sunday.
In his remarks in the Lok Sabha, the prime minister emphasised that West Asia is of significant importance to India, as nearly one crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries.