West Asia conflict: PM Modi directs measures to safeguard Indians, boost renewable energy push

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday directed ministers to take all measures to safeguard Indian citizens and the diaspora from the impact of the West Asia conflict, establish a dedicated assistance mechanism for seafarers and their families, and accelerate the shift towards renewable energy, including solar and other non-fossil fuel sources.

He said this after he chaired a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review India's preparedness on the conflict.

Home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, external affairs minister S Jaishankar and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the meeting, along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri, commerce minister Piyush Goyal and ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal.


Cabinet secretary TV Somanathan briefed the CCS on the evolving geopolitical situation and the measures taken by various ministries to ensure adequate availability of petroleum products, including LNG and LPG, and fertilisers. He informed the committee that LPG procurement sources have already been diversified and that the overall stock and supply position of major petroleum products remains adequate, the Prime Minister's Office said in an official statement.

The cabinet secretary said sufficient crude oil availability has enabled public sector refineries to operate at utilisation levels exceeding 100%, ensuring continued production of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products. He also outlined measures to expand PNG connections, strengthen the National Gas Grid, augment LNG import and regasification infrastructure, expand City Gas Distribution networks, and expedite pipeline and last-mile connectivity approvals under the Pipeline Infrastructure Order, 2026.

The situation of Indian seafarers serving on domestic and foreign-flagged vessels in conflict zones also came up for discussion. Modi directed the government to establish a mechanism to provide timely information, emergency assistance and counselling to seafarers and their families, the statement reads. He also stressed that every effort must be made to safeguard Indian citizens and the diaspora from the impact of the conflict, while underlining the need to strengthen India's long-term energy security through greater reliance on renewable energy, including solar and other non-fossil fuel-based sources, according to the statement.

The meeting underscored the Centre's continued whole-of-government approach to the West Asia crisis.