Kumar Bahukhandi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Lok Sabha during the second part of the Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, March 23, 2026. (Sansad TV)
Making a statement on the prevailing situation in West Asia in the Lok Sabha, Modi also said that the security of Indians has been the government’s biggest priority in times of conflict, and the Centre is sensitive, vigilant and also ready to extend every assistance
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday March 23, 2026 acknowledged that the war in West Asia has created unprecedented economic, national security, and humanitarian pressures on India, but urged people not to panic as the country has sufficient oil reserves.
Addressing the Lok Sabha on the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the wide-ranging challenges it has posed for India, PM said the country possesses a Strategic Petroleum Reserve of more than 53 lakh metric tones in addition to the separate reserves held by oil companies and work is underway to build reserves exceeding 65 lakh metric tones.
Speaking for the first time on the impact of the West Asia crisis on India, he informed the House that the government is working with a comprehensive short, medium, and long-term strategy, supported by strong economic fundamentals, sector-specific stakeholder consultations. He added a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group meets daily to assess and resolve every difficulty in India’s import-export chain.
He remarked that the difficult global conditions caused by this war are likely to persist for a long time and called upon the nation to remain prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Urging patience, restraint, and vigilance, he cautioned against those who may seek to exploit the situation by spreading falsehoods, engaging in black-marketing, or hoarding, Modi appealed through the House to all state governments to ensure strict monitoring and swift action against such elements.
He stressed that the government’s focus has been on protecting ordinary families from hardship, and added measures such as prioritizing domestic use of LPG and boosting its domestic production.
“Continuous work has been done to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel continues smoothly across the entire country,” PM Modi remarked. He mentioned that India has prioritized the stockpiling of crude oil for precisely such times of crisis.
The PM acknowledged that since large quantities of crude oil, gas, fertilizers, and other essentials reach India through the Strait of Hormuz, shipping through the Strait has become highly challenging since the war.
He shared details of the government’s engagement with global suppliers and its vigilant monitoring of Gulf shipping routes to ensure the safe passage of ships carrying oil, gas, fertilizers, and other essential goods to India. Noting the continuous dialogue with all global partners to keep maritime corridors secure, Mr Modi remarked, “Due to such efforts, several of our ships that were stuck in the Strait of Hormuz have also arrived in India in recent days.”
PM Modi also underscored how the energy diversification strategy pursued over the past decade has proven its worth in the current crisis and informed the House that India has expanded its energy import sources from 27 countries to 41 countries over the past 11 years, thereby reducing dependence on any single region.
Noting that the crisis has now persisted for over three weeks, with deeply adverse consequences for the global economy and human lives, the PM underscored the urgency of resolution. Drawing attention to the nearly one crore Indians who live and work in Gulf countries, as well as the significant number of Indian crew members aboard commercial ships in those waters, the Prime Minister asserted,
“India’s concerns are naturally greater, and, therefore, it is essential that a united and unanimous voice goes out to the world from India’s Parliament on this crisis.” He talked about the government’s response to safeguard Indian nationals since the war broke out, stating that he has personally spoken, in two rounds, with the heads of state of most of the West Asian countries, all of whom have given full assurance regarding the safety of Indians.
He informed the House that more than 3,75,000 Indians have safely returned to India since the war began, including approximately 1,000 Indians from Iran alone, of whom over 700 are young medical students. He highlighted that ethanol blending electrification of railways, expansion of the metro network and electric buses have helped in cutting down dependency on petroleum products.
To handle the rising summer electricity demand amid the ongoing war, the PM informed the House that adequate coal stocks are available at all power plants across the country. He highlighted that all systems from power generation to power supply are being continuously monitored.
The PM reassured the House that India’s farmers have ensured adequate foodgrain stocks and that the government is working to facilitate proper Kharif sowing and has built robust emergency food arrangements in recent years. On India’s diplomatic response to the West Asia conflict, the Prime Minister stated that India’s stand has been clear from the very beginning, one of expressing deep concern, advocating de-escalation, and opposing attacks on civilians and on energy and transport infrastructure. He informed the House that he has engaged with all relevant West Asian leaders and urged them to reduce tensions and end the conflict, while emphasising that attacks on commercial ships and obstruction of international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz are wholly unacceptable.
He informed the House that all law-and-order agencies have been placed on alert and that security across all domains, coastal, border, cyber, and strategic installations, is being further strengthened, PM Modi cautioned, “Whether it is coastal security, border security, cyber security, or strategic installations, the security of all is being reinforced.”
