PM Modi Addresses Lok Sabha on West Asia Conflict, Stresses Dialogue and Diplomacy to Minimise Impact on India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke in the Lok Sabha today during the ongoing Budget Session, delivering a detailed address on the escalating conflict in West Asia involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The speech, which lasted about 20 minutes and began around 2 PM, came a day after the Cabinet Committee on Security reviewed the crisis and its potential repercussions for India’s eco​nomy, supply chains, and essential commodities.

The conflict, now in its third week, has disrupted global energy flows following tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil, gas, and fertiliser shipments to India. Modi outlined the government’s assessment of short, medium and long-term challenges while assuring the House that proactive measures were in place to protect citizens and key sectors.

In his address, the Prime Minister emphasised India’s firm stance on peaceful resolution. “We believe, and we have said this, that dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions... War is not in the interest of humanity. India is encouraging all sides to end it peacefully,”** he said, adding that the country has actively appealed to regional leaders through multiple rounds of diplomatic engagement.

PM Modi highlighted the humanitarian and economic stakes for India, noting that over one crore Indian nationals live and work in the Gulf region. Since the war began, more than 3.75 lakh Indians have been safely repatriated, including nearly 1,000 from Iran (over 700 of them medical students). The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled board exams in affected Gulf countries to safeguard students’ education.

On the economic front, PM Modi detailed steps to shield critical supplies. India imports 60 per cent of its LPG requirements, and large volumes of crude oil, gas, and fertilisers pass through the Strait of Hormuz. “Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become very challenging,” he noted, but assured that petrol, diesel, and domestic gas supplies have remained largely uninterrupted through prioritisation of local consumers, increased domestic LPG production, and diversified imports. Energy sourcing has expanded from 27 countries a decade ago to 41 countries today, backed by a strategic petroleum reserve of 53 lakh metric tonnes. Coal stocks at power plants are sufficient to meet rising summer demand, and fertiliser availability for farmers has been secured with new urea plants operational.

The Prime Minister warned that disruption of commercial shipping and the Hormuz Strait was “not acceptable” and stressed that the government remains vigilant against black-marketing or misinformation. He urged state governments to take strict action against hoarders and called on citizens to stay united: “Be alert, stay united. We can challenge all challenges if we stay united.”

PM Modi also pointed to India’s strong economic fundamentals and past experience during the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for resilience, while announcing daily inter-ministerial reviews to monitor imports, exports, and sectoral needs. He reiterated that the entire world is affected and India’s efforts are focused on ensuring the country feels the least impact. The address followed a comprehensive government review of sectors including agriculture, petroleum, power, MSMEs, shipping, and trade. Opposition members had earlier raised concerns about energy security and rising prices, prompting the Prime Minister’s intervention. Parliamentary sources indicated that a similar statement is expected in the Rajya Sabha shortly.​​