New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the formation of seven empowered groups to ensure a “swift and far-reaching strategy” for managing fuel, gas, and essential supplies amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister said the government is taking coordinated and proactive steps to minimise the impact of global disruptions on India.
Multi-layered response mechanism
Modi stated that, alongside the empowered groups, an interministerial group has also been set up to continuously assess challenges related to imports, exports, and supply chains.
“The government is working strategically for its short-term, medium-term and long-term impact,” he said.
The seven empowered groups will focus on key areas such as:
Economy remains resilient
Acknowledging the global economic shock caused by the conflict, Modi emphasised that India’s economic fundamentals remain strong, and efforts are underway to ensure “minimum impact” on citizens.
He noted that the situation is being monitored closely as global markets remain volatile due to disruptions in critical trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
Context: escalating conflict
The crisis—now in its fourth week—was triggered after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes, leading to retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel and United States assets across the Gulf region.
These developments have disrupted maritime traffic, energy flows, and global supply chains.
Parallel evacuation and energy efforts
The government is also working to safeguard Indian nationals in the region, with evacuation and repatriation efforts ongoing.
On the energy front, India has managed a key breakthrough with the successful transit of LPG carriers Jag Vasant and Pine Gas through the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring continued supply despite heightened risks.
Preparedness and coordination
Modi expressed confidence that through coordinated efforts and strategic planning, India will be able to manage the crisis effectively and shield its economy from major shocks.
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The measures underline India’s focus on energy security, economic stability, and citizen safety amid one of the most serious geopolitical crises in recent times.
