Amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with the Chief Ministers of all states. PM Modi will interact with all the Chief Ministers via video conferencing. The primary objective of this meeting is to review the states’ preparedness, plans, and central-state coordination in light of the current situation. The central government is striving to work with the state governments in a Team India spirit during this crisis. Previously, the central government held an all-party meeting on the Middle East crisis.
The war in the Middle East has impacted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, the central government may discuss energy security with the states. PM Modi is expected to discuss fuel availability, supply arrangements, and preparedness to deal with potential crises with the Chief Ministers. The meeting may also discuss how to maintain a smooth supply chain for essential goods. Election-bound states are not participating in this meeting. Due to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, they will not be part of this meeting. A separate meeting will be organized by the Cabinet Secretariat for the Chief Secretaries of the election-bound states.
Earlier, on Wednesday (March 26), the Central Government held an all-party meeting with opposition parties. The meeting discussed the situation in West Asia and its impact on India. Responding to the opposition’s questions, the government stated that there was no need to panic, stating that there were sufficient reserves of crude oil and gas, and that more ships were arriving from the Strait of Hormuz. The government’s priority was to ensure the safety of Indian expatriates and meet domestic energy needs.
Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi had announced in the Rajya Sabha that seven new empowered groups had been formed to address the situation arising from the ongoing fighting in the Middle East. These groups would review and provide recommendations on issues including the supply of LPG, essential services, and goods. He also stated that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had created a serious global energy crisis. On Monday, he stated in the Lok Sabha that the impact of the crisis resulting from the conflict could be long-lasting. However, the government is fully prepared to address this situation.
Amid tensions in the Middle East, Indian ships are arriving in India from Hormuz. Two LPG tankers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, are now on their way to India after safely crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Pine Gas is carrying 45,000 metric tons of LPG, while Jag Vasant is carrying approximately 47,600 metric tons. Earlier, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, carrying LPG, had also safely reached the Indian coast. Indian oil tankers Jag Ladki and Jag Prakash had also safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
Amidst the ongoing tension in the Middle East, Iran has allowed Indian commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This information was given by Iran’s Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi. According to Iranian state television, Araghchi said that Iran has allowed some countries, which it considers its friends, to travel through this important sea route. He said that apart from India, China, Russia, Iraq and Pakistan have also been allowed to pass through Hormuz.