New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an interaction with Chief Ministers on Marh 27, Friday evening via video conferencing to review state-level preparedness amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The discussions will focus on coordinated action and “Team India” synergy. However, sources indicated that Chief Ministers of poll-bound states will not be attending the meeting. These include Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy.
Earlier on March 25, Wednesday, an all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was held in the national capital over the West Asia crisis, where the government briefed about the situation in West Asia and how India is dealing with its impact. All Union Ministers part of the Cabinet Committee on Security including Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman represented the government. Health Minister J P Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were also part of the meeting.
A detailed briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, along with remarks from External Affairs Minister DR. S. Jaishankar and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighted that India’s energy security remains stable, with adequate availability of crude oil, LPG and fertilisers. The government underscored that multiple shipments have already reached India, with more expected in the coming days, backed by the country’s strong refining capacity. It also emphasised proactive diplomatic outreach, noting that New Delhi is in touch with all parties involved and ensuring uninterrupted supply lines, calling it a “diplomatic success”.
On the safety front, authorities reiterated that there is no cause for panic, with Indian embassies actively assisting citizens in affected regions. Evacuation plans remain in place, with the safety of Indians abroad as the top priority. Earlier, addressing the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Modi assured that India has sufficient crude oil reserves and robust arrangements for continuous supply. He highlighted the expansion of strategic petroleum reserves and diversification of energy imports from 27 to 41 countries over the past decade to reduce dependency on any single source.
As global trade routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, face disruptions, the Centre has maintained that India is well-prepared to manage any economic or logistical challenges. March 27, Friday’s meeting with the Chief Ministers is expected to further streamline coordination between the Centre and states to effectively navigate the crisis.
(With Inputs from ANI)
