Modi flags long term impact of war urges united response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said dialogue and diplomacy were the only solutions to the ongoing West Asia crisis even as he urged citizens to stay united and alert, while flagging the likely long-term impacts of the war.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha for the first time since February 28 when the crisis began, the Prime Minister cited decade-long focus on energy and fertiliser import diversification, railway electrification and electric mobility to assure people of the resilience of the Indian economy in the wake of the upheaval.

He termed the attacks on commercial ships and disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, the route for one-fifth of global energy supplies, as unacceptable and said India was deploying diplomacy to ensure the safe movement of ships. Nearly 22 Indian ships are stranded in the strait.

The PM noted that Indian efforts currently were focused on reduction of tensions and cessation of war, and informed Parliament of 53 lakh metric tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves along with efforts to expand this to 65 lakh MT. Citing 60 per cent imports to meet domestic LPG needs, Modi said India was naturally facing difficulties but was in good stead having diversified crude and natural gas imports. “Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has become a challenge, but the government has tried to ensure petrol, diesel and gas supply is not affected much and inconvenience to people is minimised,” he said, adding that 3.75 lakh Indians had returned from the affected regions and a thousand of them from Iran alone.

The PM earlier mentioned two rounds of talks he had with leaders of the Gulf nations in respect of the safety of one crore Indians living and working there. On the essential commodities supply, the PM said past efforts were coming in handy. “We have diversified energy imports. Earlier we imported crude, LNG and LPG from 27 nations. Today we import from 41,” he said, adding that India’s ethanol blending push alone was saving 4.5 crore barrels in oil imports annually. The PM assured farmers of adequate fertiliser supplies for the kharif sowing season. He said the government would not let the West Asia crisis impact agriculture.

Modi said India’s economic fundamentals were strong and the government would support sectors that needed help. “Together, we can challenge any challenge,” he said, advising caution and readiness.

The PM informed Parliament of the law and order agencies being in a state of high alert given the possibilities of mischief by nefarious forces.

“Some elements may exploit the situation by spreading lies.... Coastal, border, cyber security and strategic installations are all being strengthened. The impact of the West Asia war is likely to last for a long time. So we must stay prepared and united,” the PM said, citing India’s successful response to Covid-19. He appealed to states to crack down on hoarders and assured the country of adequate preparations for the summer months when power demand would rise.

Adequate coal supplies were being maintained at all power plants, Modi said, adding that the government was working on short, medium and long-term solutions around the crisis.

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Courtesy: The Tribune -24-Mar-2026