The Government of India has sought to reassure farmers and the public about the country’s fertiliser availability while also highlighting its diplomatic efforts within the BRICS bloc amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Addressing the media, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said that speculation about shortages of fertilisers in India was unfounded. He urged observers to avoid spreading misinformation or speculation that could create unnecessary panic among the public.
Jaiswal said the government had reviewed the factual situation regarding fertiliser stocks and confirmed that India’s food security remains protected despite the global uncertainties created by geopolitical tensions. According to him, adequate planning and early procurement measures have ensured that India is well prepared to meet the agricultural requirements for the coming months.
The Department of Fertilisers has confirmed that India currently holds sufficient stocks of key fertilisers required for agricultural production. These reserves are specifically positioned to meet the needs of the upcoming Kharif 2026 cropping season.
Officials stated that fertiliser stock levels have improved significantly compared with the previous year. Urea reserves have exceeded last year’s levels, while stocks of Diammonium Phosphate, commonly known as DAP, have doubled. Similarly, stocks of NPK fertilisers are currently much stronger than they were during the same period in 2025.
The government expects domestic urea production to remain strong as the Rabi season comes to an end. Officials indicated that production levels are likely to exceed normal consumption levels, providing an additional cushion for future agricultural demand.
These developments are particularly important for the Kharif cropping season, when fertiliser demand increases sharply as farmers begin preparing their fields for crops such as rice, maize and cotton.
According to government officials, the current stability in fertiliser supply is the result of proactive industrial and policy planning undertaken by the government and relevant departments.
One key step involved advancing the annual maintenance schedules of fertiliser plants. By adjusting these schedules, authorities were able to maximise production during periods when natural gas supplies were available.
The Department of Fertilisers also took early steps to secure global supplies by issuing international tenders in advance. These tenders received strong responses from international suppliers, ensuring that India could secure additional fertiliser imports when required.
Officials indicated that a large portion of the fertiliser quantities ordered through these tenders is expected to arrive in India by the end of March. This timing is important because it allows the government to build sufficient inventories before demand begins rising for the Kharif season.
In addition to imports, the government has also decided to procure spot gas from the global market on a competitive basis. The first phase of these purchases is expected to be completed soon.
International suppliers have also provided assurances regarding uninterrupted supply, giving authorities confidence that fertiliser availability will remain comfortable even as global geopolitical tensions continue.
According to the government’s planning estimates, stock levels will remain stable as the peak fertiliser demand period approaches around 15 May.
Officials emphasised that India’s fertiliser preparedness reflects a broader strategy to protect the country’s food security from global disruptions.
Global commodity markets have faced significant uncertainty in recent years due to geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and energy market fluctuations. Fertilisers, which rely heavily on natural gas and global trade flows, are particularly vulnerable to such disruptions.
Despite these challenges, the government maintains that India’s fertiliser supply chain remains secure due to strong domestic production and diversified import strategies.
The government’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that farmers have uninterrupted access to fertilisers during critical agricultural seasons. By maintaining sufficient stocks and strengthening supply chains, authorities aim to prevent sudden price spikes or shortages that could affect crop production.
Alongside domestic preparedness, India is also navigating complex diplomatic challenges within the BRICS grouping as tensions escalate in West Asia.
India currently holds the chairmanship of BRICS, which includes major emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has created diplomatic challenges within the bloc because some BRICS member states have direct stakes or interests in the region. These differing positions have made it difficult for the group to arrive at a unified stance on the crisis.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, these geopolitical realities have complicated the process of building consensus among member states.
Despite the differences among member states, India has been actively working to facilitate dialogue within the BRICS framework.
According to Jaiswal, discussions are being conducted through the Sherpa channel, which is a diplomatic mechanism used by BRICS members to coordinate policy positions and negotiations.
The most recent meeting under this framework was held virtually on 12 March. During this meeting, representatives from different BRICS countries discussed the evolving situation in West Asia and explored possible ways to maintain cooperation within the group.
Officials said India continues to encourage dialogue and consultation among member states in order to maintain unity within the bloc.
India’s diplomatic efforts also extend beyond internal BRICS discussions. The Indian leadership is engaging directly with leaders of BRICS member states located in the West Asian region.
These interactions are aimed at identifying common ground and encouraging constructive engagement among countries involved in or affected by the conflict.
As the chair of BRICS, India has the responsibility of maintaining the cohesion of the group while also responding to rapidly changing geopolitical developments.
Officials emphasised that India remains committed to maintaining balanced diplomacy while encouraging dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders.
India’s current diplomatic approach reflects the challenge of balancing its leadership role within BRICS with the broader need to maintain regional stability.
The West Asia conflict has intensified geopolitical tensions and created divisions among various international actors. In such a situation, maintaining consensus within multilateral groupings like BRICS becomes more difficult.
However, India has continued to engage with member states at multiple levels in order to preserve the functioning of the bloc.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India’s role as chair requires it to maintain active engagement with all partners while also safeguarding the internal cohesion of the organisation.
The developments highlight the interconnected nature of global geopolitics and domestic policy priorities. While India is strengthening its agricultural preparedness through adequate fertiliser stocks, it is simultaneously navigating diplomatic complexities on the international stage.
Ensuring stable fertiliser supplies is essential for supporting farmers and safeguarding food production. At the same time, managing diplomatic relations within major global groupings such as BRICS remains a key component of India’s foreign policy strategy.
As tensions in West Asia continue to evolve, the government has indicated that it will continue to monitor both agricultural supply chains and international diplomatic developments closely.
Officials maintain that India’s preparations have positioned the country to manage both domestic economic needs and international diplomatic responsibilities during a period of global uncertainty.
