PM Modi Holds High-Level Meeting On West Asia, Energy Security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with senior Cabinet Ministers and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at his office in Parliament on Thursday to review the evolving situation in West Asia and assess its implications for India’s energy security, trade and economy.

Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Health Minister JP Nadda, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal attended the meeting.

According to sources, the discussions focused on the continuing crisis in West Asia, particularly its impact on global energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas exports pass, has remained disrupted, resulting in tighter petroleum supplies and higher global energy prices.

The government also reviewed growing security concerns after commercial vessels came under attack in the region.

The meeting also reviewed the deaths of Indian seafarers, with the government continuing diplomatic engagement with Iran and the United States.

The Centre told Parliament it had taken measures to secure energy and fertiliser supplies, support trade and maintain economic stability amid the West Asia crisis.

Although global crude prices remained elevated, the average Indian crude oil basket declined from 114.5 dollars per barrel in April to 77.6 dollars by July 22.

The government also introduced customs duty relief, restored RoDTEP benefits, launched the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool RELIEF Scheme and extended support under ECLGS 5.0.

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