Key Highlights
- Modi described the West Asia war as a serious, prolonged threat with global repercussions.
- Disruption of the Strait of Hormuz could jeopardise India's energy imports and inflame worldwide fuel prices.
- Around 1 crore Indian expatriates in the Gulf and 700 seafarers on Indian vessels are being actively protected.
- India is expanding its Strategic Petroleum Reserve and diversifying oil‑gas sources to 41 nations.
- Diplomacy, dialogue and a neutral stance remain core to India’s foreign‑policy calculus.
Detailed Insights
Speaking to the Lok Sabha on 23 March 2026, the Prime Minister highlighted that the conflict in West Asia has endured for more than three weeks, evolving from a regional skirmish into a matter of worldwide concern. The hostilities threaten vital maritime arteries—chiefly the Strait of Hormuz—through which a substantial share of India’s crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas and fertiliser shipments flow. Any blockage could ripple through global supply chains, elevate commodity prices and strain India’s balance‑of‑payments.
To mitigate these risks, the government has pledged to boost domestic energy production, accelerate renewable‑energy projects, and raise the ethanol‑blending ratio toward 20 %. Simultaneously, India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, currently about 5.3 million metric tonnes, will be enlarged to provide a strategic buffer against abrupt supply shocks. The nation is also widening its import basket, moving from 27 to an envisaged 41 supplier countries, thereby diluting reliance on any single region.
Human‑security considerations feature prominently in the address. With roughly ten million Indian nationals residing in Gulf states, their well‑being is a top priority. Consular missions have facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 3.75 lakh citizens, including students from Iran, and are maintaining continuous communication with Indian seafarers—about 700 aboard 22 vessels navigating the Hormuz corridor.
On the diplomatic front, India has engaged constructively with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain, urging a negotiated settlement. By avoiding overt condemnation while safeguarding national interests, India aims to preserve the stability of sea lanes, protect its energy security, and reinforce its image as a responsible global actor committed to peace.