Prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Monday cautioned that the ongoing conflict in West Asia is likely to have prolonged global and domestic consequences, urging the country to remain united, vigilant and prepared to deal with emerging challenges.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the PM says the crisis has continued for over three weeks and is already impacting the global economy and people’s lives, with the international community calling for an early resolution.
Describing the situation as 'deeply concerning', the prime minister says the conflict has created economic, national security and humanitarian challenges for India, given its extensive trade relations with countries in the region.
Citing a media report, the prime minister underlined that the global fallout of the conflict could persist for a long time, requiring sustained preparedness and coordination. He urged citizens to remain calm and resilient, drawing parallels with the country’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the same time, PM Modi warned that crises often lead to attempts by certain elements to exploit the situation. He says all law enforcement agencies have been put on alert, with enhanced focus on coastal, border, cyber and strategic infrastructure security. He also cautioned against misinformation and urged state governments to take strict action against those involved in spreading false information, hoarding and black marketing.
Stressing the need for collective action, the prime minister says India has faced similar global challenges in the past and overcome them through unity and coordinated efforts. “With patience, restraint and calmness, we must face every challenge,” he says, expressing confidence that the country will be able to navigate the current situation effectively.
He noted that West Asia remains critical for India’s energy needs and global trade connectivity, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of crude oil, gas and fertiliser supplies are routed. He also highlighted that nearly one crore Indians live and work in Gulf countries, while a large number of Indian crew members are employed on commercial vessels operating in the region, making India’s concerns 'naturally greater'.
Highlighting the economic preparedness, the PM says the government has taken multiple steps to ensure that supplies of petrol, diesel and cooking gas remain stable, despite disruptions in shipping routes. He says India has diversified its energy imports over the past decade, expanded strategic petroleum reserves to over 5.3mmt (million metric tonnes) and strengthened refining capacity, which has helped cushion the impact of the crisis. He added that an inter-ministerial group is meeting daily to assess challenges related to imports and exports and to ensure smooth supply chains.
Referring to long-term measures, PM Modi says India’s push towards ethanol blending, renewable energy and electric mobility has reduced dependence on imported fuel. He noted that ethanol blending has reached close to 20%, reducing oil imports significantly, while renewable energy now accounts for a substantial share of installed power capacity.
Adequate coal stocks are available to meet rising electricity demand during the summer months, and that power generation systems are being closely monitored, he added.
On agriculture, the PM says India has sufficient food grain stocks and adequate fertiliser arrangements to support farmers. He noted that domestic production of fertilisers has increased in recent years and imports have been diversified to reduce vulnerability to global disruptions. He assured that the government will continue to support farmers and ensure that global crises do not translate into higher input costs for them.
PM Modi also emphasised India’s diplomatic efforts, stating that he has urged leaders in the region to reduce tensions and end the conflict. He reiterated that India opposes attacks on civilians and disruptions to global shipping routes, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable solutions to the crisis. He says India is working with global partners to ensure safe maritime corridors and secure passage for essential goods.
PM Modi says the government has prioritised the safety of Indian nationals since the conflict began, with more than 375,000 citizens safely returning to India so far. He added that nearly 1,000 Indians have returned from Iran, including hundreds of students, while Indian missions in affected countries are operating continuously to assist workers and tourists.
He says he has personally spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries, who have assured the safety of Indian citizens, although some casualties and injuries have been reported, with affected families receiving support and medical care.
How Araku’s Coffee Farmers Are Tackling Climate Change
Karthik Madhavapeddi (IndiaSpend)
23 March 2026
Coffee farmer Vanthala Raju was 21 when he applied to get his rights over forest land recognised in 2014. It took two years for an official to acknowledge his application, four more for processing. Throughout this period, he faced...
Supreme Court Declines to Halt Felling of 46,000 Mangroves for Versova-Bhayandar Coastal Road
Moneylife Digital Team
20 March 2026
The Supreme Court on Friday declined to halt the removal of over 45,000 mangrove trees for the proposed Versova-Bhayandar Coastal Road in Mumbai, refusing to interfere with a Bombay High Court order that granted permission for the...
Lessons from the Past 150: The Big Picture
Walter Vieira,
20 March 2026
Sometime back, the newspapers carried a photograph of a new highway road of four lanes, which then gets narrowed to two lanes, when it comes to a long bridge across the river. This causes endless chaos when the traffic from four lanes...
Can ED Sue? Supreme Court Grapples with Constitutional Vacuum after West Bengal Argues Investigative Agency Has No Right To Invoke Fundamental Rights
Moneylife Digital Team
18 March 2026
The Supreme Court on Wednesday grappled with a fundamental constitutional question, whether the directorate of enforcement (ED), as a department of the Union government rather than an independent legal entity, can file a writ petition...
