NEW DELHI — In his first parliamentary address since the outbreak of the US-Iran war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the Lok Sabha on Monday that India is navigating the “worrisome” West Asia crisis with a focus on humanitarian safety and energy resilience.
Acknowledging the conflict’s three-week duration, the Prime Minister detailed a “whole-of-government” approach to minimize the fallout on the Indian economy and its citizens.
1. Mass Evacuations and Diaspora Safety
The Prime Minister revealed the scale of India’s humanitarian response as the conflict intensifies:
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3.75 Lakh Returnees: Approximately 375,000 Indian nationals have returned home from the region since the war began on February 28, 2026.
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Focus on Iran: Over 1,000 citizens have been evacuated specifically from Iran, including 700 medical students.
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Diplomatic Assurances: PM Modi confirmed two rounds of talks with West Asian leaders, who have provided personal assurances regarding the safety of the nearly 1 crore Indians living and working in the Gulf.
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Casualties: He acknowledged that some Indians have been killed or injured, confirming that financial assistance is being extended to the affected families.
2. Safeguarding the “Strait of Hormuz”
PM Modi took a firm stance on maritime security, calling attacks on commercial shipping “unacceptable.
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Naval Escorts: In a significant disclosure, he confirmed that Indian-flagged LPG carriers (including the Shivalik and Nanda Devi) successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz under watchful eyes, carrying over 92,000 metric tonnes of cooking gas.
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Strategic Reserves: India is currently maintaining a strategic oil reserve of 53 lakh MT to buffer against prolonged disruptions.
3. Energy Security: Diversification to 41 Nations
To counter the “energy shock” mentioned by the IEA, India has rapidly expanded its supply chain:
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Expanded Network: India now sources crude oil, LPG, and gas from 41 countries, up from 27.
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LPG Prioritization: With 60% of LPG being imported, the government has officially prioritized domestic consumers over commercial interests to prevent household shortages.
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Green Resilience: The PM noted that renewable capacity has reached 250 GW, helping reduce the country’s total dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.
4. Assurances to Farmers and Industry
Addressing fears of a “fertilizer crisis” ahead of the Kharif season:
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Fertilizer Stocks: PM Modi assured farmers that stocks are currently adequate despite the challenges in the Persian Gulf.
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Coal and Power: He promised that coal stocks remain sufficient to prevent any power disruptions during the upcoming peak summer demand.
5. Call for National Unity
The Prime Minister concluded by urging Parliament to speak with a “unanimous voice” to send a clear message of strength to the international community. He warned against hoarding and black marketing of fuel, directing state governments to take “strictest action” against those exploiting the crisis.
