The Indian government has called an all-party meeting on March 25 (Wednesday) at 5 pm on the crisis in West Asia.
Earlier today, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a review meeting in the wake of recent global and regional security events and also to review India’s defense preparedness.
CDS General Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Amar Preet Singh, General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Chairman Samir Kamat and others were also present in the meeting.
The ongoing conflict in West Asia entered its fourth week, disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the killing of Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28.
In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing further disruption to the waterway and affecting international energy markets as well as global economic stability.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha today on several aspects of the ongoing conflict and India’s energy security.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Lok Sabha to brief members on developments in West Asia and their potential impact on India. Describing the situation as “disturbing”.
He emphasized that the ongoing conflict presents unprecedented challenges that are not only economic and related to national security, but also humanitarian.
The Prime Minister reflected on the global challenges that have arisen due to the conflict and India’s trade relations with war-torn countries in the West Asian region, saying that much of the country’s oil and gas needs have been met by the war-torn region. The opposition parties, on the other hand, called it a “master class of self-aggrandizement and party dialogue-baazi (dramatic dialogue).
“The situation in West Asia is alarming. This conflict has been going on for more than three weeks. It has a serious impact on the global economy and people’s lives, so the world is urging all parties to resolve this conflict soon,” Prime Minister Modi said.
The Prime Minister informed about India’s trade relations with war-torn countries in the West Asian region and said that a large part of the country’s oil and gas needs are met by the war-torn region.
He informed that the region also remains crucial as it provides a route for India’s trade with other countries as well.
