New Delhi, March 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the Lok Sabha regarding the prolonged instability in West Asia, stating that the nation must remain united to navigate the strategic and economic challenges arising from the conflict. In his first parliamentary address since the crisis began on February 28, the Prime Minister maintained that India is taking comprehensive measures to secure its energy and fertilizer supplies.
The Prime Minister noted that the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for India’s imports and described any disruption to maritime corridors as “unacceptable.” To mitigate these risks, he affirmed that the government has expanded its import base to 41 countries, up from 27 a decade ago. He also stated that India currently holds 5.3 million metric tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves, with plans to increase that capacity to 6.5 million metric tonnes to ensure long-term stability.
Addressing the safety of Indian nationals, the Prime Minister declared that he has held multiple discussions with Gulf leaders to protect the interests of approximately one crore Indians working in the region. He informed the House that around 3.75 lakh citizens have already returned home since the start of the hostilities. Security agencies have been directed to remain on high alert to protect national installations and counter misinformation spread by “nefarious elements” during this period of global volatility.
“Dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions to this problem,” the Prime Minister asserted during the session. He compared the current need for national resilience to the unity shown during the COVID-19 pandemic. He further maintained that the government is in constant dialogue with international partners to ensure that ships carrying essential commodities reach Indian shores safely and without significant delay.
