New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the Lok Sabha on the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the wide-ranging challenges it has posed for India. Noting that the crisis has now persisted for over three weeks, with deeply adverse consequences for the global economy and human lives, the Prime Minister underscored the urgency of resolution. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Modi remarked, “The whole world is urging all parties for the earliest possible resolution of this crisis.”

Elaborating on the nature of the challenges confronting India, the Prime Minister pointed out that the war has created unprecedented economic, national security, and humanitarian pressures. He noted that India has extensive trade relations with the warring and war-affected countries, that the conflict zone straddles critical trade routes, and that a large share of India’s crude oil and gas needs is met by this very region. Drawing attention to the nearly one crore Indians who live and work in Gulf countries, as well as the significant number of Indian crew members aboard commercial ships in those waters, the Prime Minister asserted, “India’s concerns are naturally greater, and therefore it is essential that a united and unanimous voice goes out to the world from India’s Parliament on this crisis.”

Outlining the government’s swift response to safeguard Indian nationals, the Prime Minister informed the House that every Indian in the affected countries has been provided necessary assistance since the war broke out. Stating that he has personally spoken, in two rounds, with the heads of state of most of the West Asian countries, all of whom have given full assurance regarding the safety of Indians, Modi remarked, “Those who are injured are being ensured better medical treatment, and in such difficult circumstances, necessary assistance is being provided to the bereaved families.”

The Prime Minister further detailed the consular and institutional support framework activated for Indians abroad. He noted that all Indian missions in the affected countries are continuously providing help, issuing regular advisories, and that 24/7 control rooms and emergency helplines have been established both in India and in other affected countries. Underlining the proactive outreach, Modi stated, “Through these mechanisms, prompt information is being provided to all those affected, whether they are Indian workers or tourists.”

Highlighting the scale of the evacuation effort, the Prime Minister informed the House that more than 3,75,000 Indians have safely returned to India since the war began, including approximately 1,000 Indians from Iran alone, of whom over 700 are young medical students. He also noted that the CBSE has cancelled the scheduled Class 10th and 12th examinations in Indian schools in the Gulf countries and is taking steps to ensure continuity of education. Summing up the government’s approach, Modi asserted, “The government is sensitive, vigilant, and ready to provide every assistance.”

Addressing the critical question of energy supply, the Prime Minister acknowledged that large quantities of crude oil, gas, fertilizers, and other essentials reach India through the Strait of Hormuz, and that shipping through the Strait has become highly challenging since the war. Stressing that the government’s focus has been on protecting ordinary families from hardship, and noting measures such as prioritizing domestic use of LPG and boosting its domestic production, Modi remarked, “Continuous work has been done to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel continues smoothly across the entire country.”

The Prime Minister underscored how the energy diversification strategy pursued over the past decade has proven its worth in the current crisis. He informed the House that India has expanded its energy import sources from 27 countries to 41 countries over the past 11 years, thereby reducing dependence on any single region. Emphasizing the foresight of this approach, Modi stated, “In today’s circumstances, the steps taken over the past decade regarding energy security have become even more relevant.”

On the subject of strategic reserves, the Prime Minister noted that India has prioritized the stockpiling of crude oil for precisely such times of crisis. He informed the House that India today possesses a Strategic Petroleum Reserve of more than 53 lakh metric tonnes, with work underway to build reserves exceeding 65 lakh metric tonnes, in addition to the separate reserves held by oil companies. Highlighting the overall enhancement of India’s refining ecosystem, Modi asserted, “Over the past 11 years, there has been a remarkable increase in our refining capacity as well.”

The Prime Minister detailed the government’s active engagement with global suppliers and its vigilant monitoring of Gulf shipping routes to ensure the safe passage of ships carrying oil, gas, fertilizers, and other essential goods to India. Noting the continuous dialogue with all global partners to keep maritime corridors secure, Modi remarked, “Due to such efforts, several of our ships that were stuck in the Strait of Hormuz have also arrived in India in recent days.”

Turning to India’s domestic energy transformation, the Prime Minister highlighted the extraordinary progress in ethanol blending, from a mere 1–1.5 percent a decade ago to nearly 20 percent today, which has reduced oil imports by approximately four and a half crore barrels per year. He also cited the electrification of railways, which has saved roughly 180 crore litres of diesel annually, the expansion of the metro network from under 250 km in 2014 to about 1,100 km today, and the provision of 15,000 electric buses to states by the central government. Projecting confidence in India’s energy future, Modi asserted, “The scale at which work is being done on alternative fuels today will make India’s future even more secure.”

Addressing the broader economic ramifications, the Prime Minister acknowledged that energy is the backbone of the modern economy and that West Asia is a major source for global energy needs, making the current crisis a challenge for economies worldwide. He informed the House that the government is working with a comprehensive short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategy, supported by strong economic fundamentals, sector-specific stakeholder consultations, and a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group that meets daily to assess and resolve every difficulty in India’s import-export chain. Expressing optimism, Modi affirmed, “I am fully confident that through the joint efforts of the government and industry, we will be able to face these circumstances effectively.”

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