West Asia Tensions: Centre on Alert Over Energy Supply

Amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the formation of a group of ministers to continuously monitor the country’s energy supply. He instructed that secretaries from relevant departments be included in this group and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to effectively handle the situation. He also suggested forming sector-specific teams as required to ensure a comprehensive response.

The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Sunday evening. During the meeting, the impact of the West Asia conflict on India’s supply of crude oil, gas, petroleum products and fertilizers was reviewed. Discussions were also held on exploring alternative import options for key sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals. The committee deliberated on immediate, medium-term and long-term strategies to manage the evolving situation.

Highlighting that the impact of the conflict is being felt globally, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of taking all necessary measures to safeguard Indian citizens. He directed all ministries to work in close coordination to minimize disruptions and to ensure that essential commodities do not enter the black market, in collaboration with state governments. Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan presented a detailed report during the meeting. Key ministers, including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and S. Jaishankar, among others, were present.