Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 26: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to interact with the chief ministers of all states and union territories (UT) on Friday to review the preparedness and plans of the country in view of the ongoing West Asia conflict entering the fourth week.
The meeting will focus on ensuring synergy of efforts in the spirit of ‘Team India.’ However, states where assembly elections are slated to be held will not be part of the meeting due to the model code of conduct (MCC) in force. For such states, a separate meeting with chief secretaries will be held soon, official sources said on Thursday. The Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, and the union territory (UT) of Puducherry.
PM Modi has struck a cautious yet firm tone on the ongoing West Asia conflict, warning of prolonged global and domestic repercussions while emphasising preparedness and resilience. Addressing the Parliament, Modi described the war as a trigger for a severe global energy crisis, noting that its effects could persist for a long time and have inevitable consequences if the situation continued. He urged citizens to be ready for potential disruptions, even as he assured that the government was actively working to minimise the impact on India.
At the core of India’s response is a mix of strategic preparedness and diplomatic outreach. The government has set up seven empowered groups – modelled on the Covid-era response – to manage critical areas such as fuel, supply chains, fertilisers, and inflation. Simultaneously, India is also diversifying its energy sourcing, tapping new markets for crude oil and gas, and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential supplies.
On Sunday, the prime minister had chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) reviewing the situation in West Asia, and India’s preparedness if the conflict drags on. During the meeting, PM Modi instructed that Indians must be safeguarded from the impact of the conflict.
During the meeting, he was also given a detailed presentation on the counter-measures that can be taken to minimize the conflict’s impact, particularly on the farmers. He also reviewed the situation of power plants, asking officials to ensure that there was no electricity shortage in India.
“We had extensive discussions on short, medium and long term measures, including ensuring continued availability of fertilisers for farmers, diversifying import sources for key sectors, promoting exports to new destinations and more. We are committed to safeguarding our citizens from the impact of the conflict,” PM Modi had posted on X. PM Modi has remained in touch with all Gulf leaders since the beginning of the conflict.
He told Parliamentarians that his government was doing everything possible to ensure that oil and gas supplies reach India to ensure stability in the country.
“Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become very challenging. But despite these adverse circumstances, our government is trying to find way forward through dialogue and diplomacy,” he had said.
Domestically, Modi has called for a coordinated, “Team India” approach, seeking cooperation from states to manage supply chains and protect vulnerable populations from the fallout of the crisis. He added that there was a strong need to shield farmers and ensure essentials’ access to poor and migrant workers.