India is confronting mounting economic and strategic risks from the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Rajya Sabha, as he outlined a multi-pronged response focused on energy security, trade continuity and protection of Indian citizens abroad. He said the war, now stretching beyond three weeks, has disrupted key sea lanes and triggered a global energy shock impacting supplies of petrol, diesel, gas and fertilizers to India.
Modi warned that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy and transport infrastructure have complicated crude and gas deliveries, with implications for inflation and growth. He stressed that India considers attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and international waterways unacceptable, and called for a united parliamentary message in favour of restraint and dialogue.
The prime minister said the government’s immediate priority is the safety of nearly one crore Indians living and working in Gulf countries and Indian crew stranded on ships in the region. According to him, more than 3,75,000 Indians have been brought back since the conflict began, including over 1,000 from Iran and hundreds of medical students, with assurances of medical and financial support to affected families.
On energy resilience, Modi highlighted diversification of oil and gas imports from 27 to 41 countries, expansion of Strategic Petroleum Reserves beyond 53 lakh tonnes with plans to reach 65 lakh tonnes, and increased refining capacity. He said an Inter-Ministerial Group and seven Empowered Groups of Secretaries are monitoring fuel, fertilizer and essential supplies, as well as inflation risks.
Modi also pointed to structural vulnerabilities, noting that over 90 percent of India’s oil is transported on foreign-flagged ships, and announced a ₹70,000 crore plan to build more ships domestically to reduce this exposure. He urged states to ensure smooth delivery of food and welfare schemes, curb black marketing and protect migrant workers, while describing the situation as a prolonged crisis that demands patience, coordination and preparedness.
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