Situation In Middle East ‘Worrisome’, PM Modi Tells Lok Sabha; Says All Efforts Being Made To Safeguard Interests Of Indians

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the government is “limiting” the impact of the Middle East conflict in India.

During his address in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to evacuate Indians stuck in the conflict zone and fulfill the energy needs of the country amid the conflict.

Calling the situation in West Asia worrisome, PM Modi said: “In the last 2-3 weeks, EAM Dr S Jaishankar and Union Minister Hardeep Puri have provided the details of the situation to the House. This conflict has been going on for more than 3 weeks. It has a severe impact on the global economy and the lives of the people, and that is why the world is urging all sides for an early resolution to this conflict.”

He has taken up India’s concerns with leaders of West Asian countries, Modi said, adding: “Around one crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries. Commercial ships operate there.”

At times of crisis, the safety of Indians is his government’s top priority, the Prime Minister said.

He provided details about his government’s efforts in rescue operations, saying that since the war started in the region, over 3,75,000 Indians have returned safely to the country.

“From Iran, around 1,000 Indians have returned safely so far, of which over 700 are medical students,” he added.

“Our missions in the affected countries are continuously engaged in helping Indians. Whether it’s Indians working there or tourists who have gone there, everyone is being provided with all possible assistance. Our missions are regularly issuing advisories. 24/7 outreach rooms and emergency helplines have been established in India and other affected countries,” the Prime Minister said.

Pointing to the fact that a large quantity of crude oil, gas, fertilisers and many essential items comes to India through the Strait of Hormuz route, PM Modi said: “Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become very challenging. Despite this, our government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted.”

“Due to uncertainty in supply, the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers. At the same time, domestic production of LPG is also being increased. Continuous efforts have also been made to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel across the country remains smooth,” the PM stated in the Lok Sabha,” the Prime Minister told the Lok Sabha, pointing out that the country imports 60 per cent of its LPG requirement, and due to the conflict, the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers.

He also spoke on how India diversified fuel imports and boosted strategic oil reserve over the past 11 years. These steps have helped tackle the crisis arising out of the ongoing war in West Asia.

“Over the past 11 years, India has diversified its energy imports, from 27 countries earlier to 41 today. India has also strengthened crude oil storage for times of crisis. At present, the country has over 5.3 million metric tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves, and efforts are underway to expand this to more than 6.5 million metric tonnes,” he said.

The country should remain united to face challenges posed by the ongoing Iran war, PM Modi said. He said that people should remain united and face challenges like they did during the COVID times.

“The difficult conditions created in the world by this war are likely to have lasting effects for a long time, so we must be prepared and remain united. We have faced such challenges with unity during the COVID period, and now we need to be prepared again,” the Prime Minister said, as reported by TimesNow.

“All efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict,” he said.