With the West Asia conflict entering its fourth week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday termed the situation a “serious global energy crisis” and flagged disruptions to key maritime routes, even as the government stepped up diplomatic engagement and supply-side measures.


Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Modi said India is in continuous contact with Iran, Israel and the United States, and has held two rounds of conversations with leaders in the region, as part of efforts to push for de-escalation and restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy.


He said India has also taken up the issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, where ship movement has become “very challenging” since the conflict began.


Despite the disruptions, the Prime Minister said ships carrying crude oil and LPG reached India in recent days, indicating efforts to secure supplies from multiple sources. The government, he added, is working to ensure that oil and gas continue to reach the country from wherever possible.


Calling attacks on commercial vessels and disruptions in international waterways “unacceptable”, Modi reiterated India’s position against targeting civilian, energy and transport infrastructure, and stressed the need to ensure secure maritime routes.


To manage the evolving situation, the government established an inter-ministerial group and constituted seven empowered groups, similar to the Covid-19 response, to address issues related to supply chains, fuel availability, fertilizers, gas and inflation.


Highlighting India’s dependence on foreign-flagged vessels for transporting a large share of its oil, the Prime Minister said the government is working to strengthen domestic capabilities, including a Rs 70,000 crore push to develop shipbuilding capacity.


Modi also cautioned that the impact of the conflict could persist, with potential long-term consequences for global energy markets and trade flows, even as he asserted that India’s economic fundamentals remain strong and the government is monitoring the situation closely.