New Delhi, July 30 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired the fourth special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on the West Asia conflict, directing a coordinated government response to protect India's energy security, supply chains, citizens and diaspora as escalating hostilities continue to disrupt key global shipping routes. The high-level meeting reviewed the country's preparedness to ensure uninterrupted supplies of petroleum products, natural gas and fertilisers, assessed the safety of Indian seafarers in conflict zones, and examined the wider impact of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Black Sea. Officials informed the CCS that there is no shortage of fuel or fertilisers and that contingency measures have been put in place to maintain supplies despite the crisis.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the meeting reviewed the evolving geopolitical situation and the steps taken by various ministries and departments in response to the conflict. It was the fourth special CCS meeting on the issue since the West Asia conflict began earlier this year.
The extended meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister JP Nadda, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was also present.
Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan briefed the CCS on the geopolitical situation and outlined measures taken to ensure adequate availability of petroleum products, including LNG and LPG, as well as fertilisers. He informed the meeting that LPG procurement sources have been diversified and that stocks and supplies of major petroleum products remain adequate.
Officials said sufficient crude oil availability has enabled Central Public Sector Enterprise refineries to operate at more than 100 per cent capacity, ensuring continued production of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products. The meeting was also informed that there is adequate availability of fertilisers to meet requirements until the upcoming Rabi season.
The CCS assessed fertiliser requirements for the next Rabi crop and discussed alternative procurement sources. Modi directed that all necessary steps be taken to ensure uninterrupted fertiliser supplies.
The Prime Minister also called for a "whole of government" approach to deal with challenges arising from the crisis and directed that a unified and coordinated mechanism be established to regularly monitor developments and ensure quick implementation of measures to safeguard citizens and national interests.
The situation of Indian seafarers serving on domestic and foreign-flagged vessels operating in conflict zones also came under review. Modi instructed the ministries concerned to establish a mechanism for providing timely information, emergency assistance and counselling to seafarers and their families.
He further directed that every effort be made to safeguard Indian citizens and the Indian diaspora from the impact of the conflict. Government data presented in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday showed that 16 Indian nationals, including 10 seafarers, have been killed and 75 injured in the West Asia conflict. Separately, 12 Indians died in an accidental explosion at a gas facility in Qatar in June.
West Asia is home to more than 10 million Indians, most of them living and working in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Officials said India will continue to prioritise the safety of its nationals and protect their interests.
The meeting also reviewed measures aimed at strengthening long-term energy security. The government highlighted expansion of piped natural gas connections, growth of the National Gas Grid, increased LNG import and regasification capacity, wider City Gas Distribution networks and faster approvals for pipeline and last-mile connectivity under the Pipeline Infrastructure Order, 2026. Modi also called for greater reliance on renewable energy, including solar and other non-fossil fuel sources, to improve energy independence.
India imports more than 88 per cent of its energy requirements, making uninterrupted shipping routes critical. Before the US-Israel conflict with Iran, around 40 per cent of India's energy imports passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The continuing conflict has disrupted these supplies, while the Bab al-Mandab, linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, has also come under pressure after Yemen's Houthi militia threatened to target Saudi oil tankers and attacked several ships. Shipping through the passage has fallen to an average of 31 vessels a day over the past three days, down from 43 daily during the first half of July. At the same time, attacks linked to the intensifying Russia-Ukraine war have added pressure on oil shipments through the Black Sea, further complicating global supply chains.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.