PM Modi on West Asia Crisis: Blocking Strait of Hormuz Unacceptable; Opposes Attacks on Energy Sites

PM Modi has issued his first public statement regarding the war situation in West Asia. In a 25-minute speech delivered in the Lok Sabha, he stated that tensions must cease and that dialogue remains the only solution to the problem.

The Prime Minister asserted that attacks on civilians and power plants are unacceptable. He further declared that any attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz would not be tolerated.

The PM stated, "The government is striving to ensure that the country does not face an oil and gas crisis. To this end, we are now importing from 41 nations, up from the previous 27. Over 10 million Indians reside in West Asia; ensuring their safety is our utmost priority."

He informed the House that 375,000 Indians have already returned safely to the country. Specifically, over a thousand Indians have returned safely from Iran alone—a group that includes more than 700 young students pursuing medical studies.

**Modi’s 6 Key Points: "We Are in Contact with Suppliers from All Nations"**

**On the Oil and Gas Crisis:** Over the past decade, India has prioritized the creation of crude oil reserves to safeguard against times of crisis. Today, we possess strategic petroleum reserves exceeding 5.3 million metric tonnes. Work is currently underway to expand this capacity to over 6.5 million metric tonnes. Additionally, our domestic oil companies maintain their own separate storage facilities.
**On Food and Rations:** We hold adequate food grain reserves. Comprehensive arrangements are in place to effectively handle any emergency situation. Even during the previous crisis, when global supply chains were disrupted, Indian farmers were provided with a bag of urea for less than ₹300. We are maintaining active dialogue with our allies to ensure the safe passage of ships carrying oil, gas, and fertilizers to India.
**On the Safety of Indians:** In these times of crisis, the safety and security of Indian citizens have remained our paramount priority. As of now, 375,000 Indians have returned safely to the country. Over a thousand Indians have returned safely from Iran alone, a group that includes more than 700 young students pursuing medical studies.
**On Power Supply:** One of the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict is the onset of the summer season in India. The demand for electricity is expected to rise steadily in the coming days. However, adequate coal stocks are currently available at the country's power plants. Every system—from power generation to supply—is being monitored.
Regarding the Energy Sector: We recognize that energy serves as the backbone of the economy today. West Asia is the primary source fulfilling global energy requirements. We are working strategically to mitigate the adverse effects of the ongoing conflict on India. The Government of India has constituted a dedicated group that meets daily to continuously address and resolve issues arising in the realm of imports and exports.
Regarding the Conflict: India's stance on the conflict, rooted in diplomacy, remains unequivocal. We have expressed our deep concern over the situation. I have engaged in discussions with key leaders across West Asia and have appealed to all parties to work towards de-escalating tensions. Attacks on, and disruptions to, commercial shipping are unacceptable. India is encouraging all stakeholders to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict as expeditiously as possible.

Speaking on the West Asia conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated: "We must confront every challenge with patience, restraint, and a calm mind. This is our identity; this is our strength. We must also remain extremely cautious and vigilant. Those seeking to exploit the prevailing situation will attempt to propagate falsehoods; we must not allow their efforts to succeed."

He further added: "Through this House, I would also like to urge all state governments across the country to remain alert; during such times, individuals involved in black marketing and hoarding tend to become active. Strict monitoring is, therefore, imperative. Action must be taken immediately wherever reports of such activities surface. When every government—at every level—and every citizen of the nation stand united and work in tandem, we will be able to effectively overcome any challenge that confronts us."