Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday chaired the first meeting of the group of ministers to discuss the conflict in the Middle East. The meeting comes amid a series of discussions by the Center on the ongoing war, with authorities also assuring the public that there is no shortage of fuel, according to ANI.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is closely monitoring the development and is actively working to provide assistance to Indian nationals currently in the Middle East.
PM Modi-CM meeting on Middle East conflict
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a virtual meeting with chief ministers and governors of states and union territories. The session reviewed the preparedness of states with regard to recent developments in the Middle East and its possible impact on the country.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Modi appreciated the proposals put forward by the Chief Ministers and noted that their inputs will help effectively address the evolving situation. He also emphasized the importance of vigilance, preparedness and coordinated efforts in meeting the challenges ahead.
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Referring to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the Prime Minister said India has previous experience in dealing with similar global disruptions. Citing the response during the Covid-19 pandemic, where the Center and states worked together as “Team India” to reduce the impact on supply chains, trade and daily life, he added that the same level of cooperation remains the country’s key strength in dealing with the current situation.
He noted that the situation continues to evolve and requires constant monitoring and flexible strategies. The prime minister said that an inter-ministerial group has been operating since March 3, reviewing developments daily and making timely decisions. He added that the government’s priorities include maintaining economic and business stability, ensuring energy security, protecting the interests of citizens and strengthening industry and supply chains.
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The Prime Minister reflected on the important role of the states and said that the effective implementation of decisions is done at the state level. He called for continuous communication and coordination between the Center and the states, along with timely information sharing and joint decision-making to ensure swift and well-coordinated responses.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said during the meeting that the Prime Minister-led government is actively working to resolve the crisis and is taking steps such as ensuring timely supply of LPG and reducing excise duty on petrol and diesel. He also emphasized the need for collective efforts of all states, union territories and the Center to deal with the situation.
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Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan gave a presentation on the current scenario, outlined measures and recommendations for states to effectively respond to the situation.
The ministers welcomed the measures taken by the central government led by the prime minister to address the situation. They also appreciated his diplomatic outreach to various countries during the crisis to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian citizens abroad, the report said.
Leaders from various states expressed confidence that the situation remains under control and stressed the sufficient availability of petrol, diesel and LPG along with continuous monitoring systems to maintain uninterrupted supply of essential commodities.
In a related development, Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation to discuss the ongoing conflict.
The chief ministers also welcomed the decision to reduce excise duty on fuel, saying it would offer much-needed relief to citizens amid global uncertainty. They further supported a move to increase commercial LPG allocation to states and union territories to 70% of the pre-crisis level, up from 50%. They reaffirmed their commitment and said they will continue to work closely with the Center to effectively manage the evolving situation and protect the interests of citizens.
