Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that India must prepare for prolonged consequences from the US-Iran war in West Asia, warning that energy supply chains and inflation could face lasting disruption.
“I urge citizens to be prepared for every challenge. The impact of this war may be long-lasting, but I assure the people that the government is alert and the nation’s interest remains paramount,” Modi said.
He called on state governments to respond with the same coordinated effort seen during the Covid pandemic, flagging that migrant workers and low-income groups would bear the heaviest burden. “Steps must be taken to safeguard our migrant workers. State governments should also remain vigilant against black marketing, which tends to rise in such periods,” he said.
Modi said the government has set up seven empowered groups mirroring the Covid-era structure to manage fuel supply, fertilisers, and price stability. He added that over 3,75,000 Indians have returned home since the conflict began, including more than 1,000 from Iran, among them over 700 medical students.
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“India is making constant efforts to encourage all sides to reach a peaceful solution as soon as possible,” he said.
The Strait of Hormuz blockage remains a key pressure point. Modi said India is using diplomatic channels to secure safe passage for its ships and is sourcing oil and gas from multiple regions to offset disruption.
On energy reserves, he said India’s strategic petroleum reserves have crossed 53 lakh metric tonnes, with plans to scale beyond 65 lakh metric tonnes. He added that India has expanded its crude oil import sources from 27 to 41 countries over the past decade, a diversification he credited with improving the country’s ability to absorb such shocks.