Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the impact of the conflict in West Asia will be “felt for a long time” and that India should be “prepared and remain united”.
Modi made the statement in the Lok Sabha amid energy supply disruptions caused by the conflict. Retaliating to attacks from the United States and Israel, Iran has effectively blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz for most international commercial vessels. About 20% of global petroleum supply passes through the maritime chokepoint.
This has affected liquified petroleum gas supplies in India. The country imports about 60% of its LPG demand, most of it from Gulf countries. The disruption has led to several eateries being temporarily shut, and long queues outside LPG godowns and agencies.
“India imports a large amount of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz,” Modi said. “The government has been trying to ensure that its impact does not affect the citizens.”
Domestic production of LPG has been prioritised to ensure a smooth supply, he added.
“We have a strategic petroleum reserve of more than 53 lakh tonnes,” said the prime minister. “Our refinery capabilities have also escalated. The Indian government is keeping a keen eye on the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to secure our energy, gas and fertiliser needs.”
He added: “We have faced such challenges with unity during the Covid period and now we have to be prepared again.”
Modi’s statement came a day after India’s Cabinet Committee on Security reviewed the situation in West Asia and discussed measures to mitigate the impact on the country.
The prime minister also said that India’s concerns about the situation in West Asia are “greater” since a crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries.
“Commercial ships operate there…the number of Indian crew members is also very high,” Modi said. “Due to these various reasons, India’s concerns are naturally greater.”
Modi said that more than 3.75 lakh Indians returned to the country amid the conflict.
“From Iran, nearly 1,000 Indians have returned safely so far, of which over 700 are medical students,” he added.
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