Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a high-level meeting to review the oil, petroleum, gas, power and fertilizer situation in New Delhi on Sunday, March 22, 2026, in view of the evolving situation in West Asia. Photo credit: X/DPR PMO
As tensions in West Asia continue to escalate and threaten energy and commodity supply routes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the situation and suggest mitigation measures.
A government statement said the meeting assessed the short-, long- and medium-term impact of the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, the committee discussed possible measures, both immediate and long-term, to manage the crisis.
“The ongoing conflict in West Asia will have significant short, medium and long-term impact on the global economy. Its impact on India has been assessed and countermeasures, both immediate and long-term, have been discussed,” the statement said.
Mr. Modi ordered that a group of ministers (GoM) and a group of secretaries be formed to work exclusively on a “whole-of-government approach” to the crisis. He called on sectoral groups to work with all stakeholders.
Provision of alternative sources of imports
The CCS discussed the diversification of sources of major imports, including fertilizers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals.
Fertilizers are gaining importance ahead of the upcoming Kharif season and with natural gas imports cut following Tehran’s missile attacks that have devastated energy infrastructure in Qatar, one of the world’s largest LNG importers.
“Measures taken in the last few years to maintain sufficient stocks of fertilizers will ensure timely availability and food security. Alternative sources of fertilizers have also been discussed to ensure their availability in the future,” the statement said.
The cabinet committee also called for “adequate” coal supplies to be provided at all power stations. The carbon commodity becomes essential with the expected peak in energy demand in the summer and potential constraints on natural gas supplies due to the ongoing conflict.
Published – 22 March 2026 14:38 IST
