Amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured that the government is fully prepared to safeguard Indian citizens, energy supplies, and national security, while taking all necessary measures to handle the situation.
Over 3.75 Lakh Indians Evacuated Safely
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister said that citizen safety remains the top priority, with over 3.75 lakh Indians evacuated from conflict-affected regions so far.
- More than 700 medical students evacuated from Iran
- Affected families are being provided medical care and assistance
He added that India is in continuous diplomatic engagement with countries including:
- Gulf nations
- Iran
- Israel
- United States
to restore peace and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
India Opposes Attacks on Civilians and Infrastructure
India has strongly opposed attacks on:
- Civilians
- Infrastructure
- Energy and transport systems
The government has urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
No Shortage of Fuel, Refineries Operating at Full Capacity
The government assured that:
- All refineries are operating at full capacity
- Adequate crude oil reserves are available
- No shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG
Officials clarified that panic buying in some areas was due to rumours, which have been dismissed as false.
Diversification of Energy Imports Strengthens Security
To enhance energy security, India has:
- Increased oil and gas import sources from 27 to 41 countries
- Built 5.3 million tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves
- Plans to expand reserves to 6.5 million tonnes
Efforts are also underway to expand:
- Piped Natural Gas (PNG)
- Domestic LPG production
‘Made in India’ Shipbuilding Push
The government has launched a ₹70,000 crore shipbuilding mission to reduce dependence on foreign vessels, focusing on:
- Ship construction
- Repair
- Recycling
LPG Supply Prioritized, Action Against Hoarding
To ensure supply:
- Commercial LPG supply increased from 20% to 50%
- Domestic PNG and CNG supply maintained at 100%
- Industrial/commercial gas supply at around 80%
Strict action has been taken against hoarding:
- 3,400 raids conducted
- 1,000 cylinders seized
- 642 FIRs registered
- 155 arrests made
Maritime Safety and Evacuation Efforts Continue
All Indian sailors in the Persian Gulf are reported safe. Key updates include:
- LPG ships “Pine Gas” and “Jag Vasant” en route to India via Strait of Hormuz
- Monitoring of 20 Indian ships and 540 sailors
- Over 585 sailors repatriated
A 24×7 control room is operational to monitor maritime safety.
Ongoing Evacuation via Multiple Routes
The Ministry of External Affairs and Indian embassies are running round-the-clock helplines.
- Over 4.02 lakh Indians returned since February 28
- Flights continue from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar
- Evacuations from Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, and Israel routed via Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Jordan
Govt Assures Support to Farmers and Poor
The Prime Minister also assured:
- Adequate availability of fertilisers
- No burden on farmers
- Continued benefits for poor and migrant workers
States have been directed to ensure welfare delivery and take strict action against black marketing.
