'A Unified Voice And Consensus Must Reach The World': PM Narendra Modi Calls for Parliamentary Unity Amid West Asia Crisis

· Free Press Journal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on Monday, delivering a comprehensive statement on the escalating conflict in West Asia and its multifaceted impact on India.

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The prime minister’s address serves as a definitive outline of India’s position on the evolving situation, detailing the government’s diplomatic engagements, deep-seated concerns over regional stability, and the tangible threats posed to global energy security and trade routes.

This formal address follows a critical high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister on Sunday, during which he reviewed the nation's preparedness across the petroleum, crude oil, natural gas, power and fertiliser sectors.

The speech comes at a time of heightened global anxiety, as the conflict enters its fourth week. With maritime corridors facing unprecedented disruptions and the safety of Indian nationals becoming a central concern, the prime minister emphasised that India must act with both sensitivity and strategic vigilance. He noted that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has been actively assessing the short, medium, and long-term implications for the Indian economy, ensuring that the country remains resilient against external shocks.

Gravity of humanitarian and global crisis

Opening his remarks, the prime minister acknowledged the severity of the current geopolitical climate, noting that the window for a quick resolution is narrowing as the violence persists. “Today I am here to talk about the ongoing conflict in West Asia. West Asia is going through a difficult time,” the Prime Minister stated. He informed the House that the executive branch has remained transparent, noting that “Shri Hardeep Puri and Shri S. Jaishankar have informed the Houses on this matter.”

The prime minister expressed grave concern over the duration of the hostilities, observing that “the situation and the escalation have now passed three weeks, creating adverse effects on the global economy and livelihoods.” He further elaborated on this sentiment by adding, “The situation in West Asia at this time is concerning. The situation in West Asia is worrisome. This conflict has been going on for more than three weeks. It has a severe impact on the global economy and the lives of the people, and that is why the world is urging all sides for an early resolution to this conflict.”

Strategic importance of conflict zone to India

A significant portion of the prime minister’s address focussed on why the stability of West Asia is inextricably linked to India’s national interest. He reminded the House that the region is not merely a distant geography but a vital economic partner and a home to millions of Indians. “This war has also posed unprecedented challenges before India. These challenges are economic, related to national security, and humanitarian as well. India has extensive trade relations with the warring and war-affected countries,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the region's role as a transit hub, noting that “the region where this war is taking place is also an important route for our trade with other countries of the world.” He specifically drew attention to India's energy dependence, stating, “In particular, a large part of our needs for crude oil and gas is met by this very region.” He emphasised that the stakes are high because “this region is also important because around 1 crore Indians live and work there.” Given these factors, he asserted, “It is essential that a unanimous and united voice from India's Parliament on this crisis reaches the world.”

Safeguarding Indian diaspora and evacuation efforts

The prime minister provided a detailed update on the safety of Indian citizens, describing a massive logistical and diplomatic effort to protect them. “Since this war began, every Indian in the affected areas has been provided with necessary assistance,” he assured the House. He shared details of his personal diplomatic outreach, stating, “I myself have spoken over the phone in two rounds with most of the heads of state in West Asia. All have given full assurance of the safety of Indians.”

However, the prime minister did not shy away from the human cost of the conflict, expressing his condolences for those caught in the crossfire. “Unfortunately, during this time, some people have tragically lost their lives and some have been injured. In such difficult circumstances, help is being provided to the affected families,” he said. He further detailed the scale of the return mission, announcing,

“Since the war began until now, more than 3 lakh 75 thousand Indians have safely reached India. From Iran alone, nearly 1,000 Indians have returned safely so far, of which over 700 are medical students.” He noted that the government has established “24/7 control rooms and emergency helplines” both in India and abroad to provide rapid information to all affected individuals.

Energy resilience and Strait of Hormuz crisis

Turning to the economic front, the prime minister addressed the specific challenges regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy. “It is a challenge for cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz from the start of the war. Despite this, our government is ensuring that gas and fuel supplies remain least affected,” he stated.

He acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting, “Movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become difficult. Crude oil and fertilisers are affected by stress in the Strait of Hormuz region. Our focus is to reduce the difficulties faced by people.”

Prime Minister Modi also spoke to the specific concerns regarding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), noting that “India imports 60 per cent of its LPG requirement. Due to uncertain supply, the government is prioritising domestic supply.” To counter these disruptions, he informed the House that “LPG production in the country is also being increased.” He urged the public and the states to remain vigilant against hoarding and black marketing, reiterating that the government is "sensitive as well, vigilant as well, and also ready for every assistance."

Strengthening India’s long-term strategic reserves

In concluding his speech, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the long-term strategic investments India has made to withstand such global volatility. He pointed to the foresight of the administration in building robust energy buffers. “Over the past decade, India has also prioritised the storage of crude oil for times of such crises. Today, India has a Strategic Petroleum Reserve of more than 5.3 million metric tonnes, and the country is working on arrangements for reserves of more than 6.5 million metric tonnes,” he declared.

He reiterated that while the conflict is an "evolving situation" that impacts the entire world, India’s primary mission remains the protection of its people and the preservation of its economic stability. He closed by calling for a "whole-of-government approach," directing various ministries to work in consultation with all stakeholders to ensure that the "unified voice and consensus" of India is projected clearly to the international community.

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