Matribhumi Samachar English
Addressing the Rajya Sabha today, March 24, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a high-stakes briefing on India’s position regarding the month-long conflict in West Asia. Highlighting the “dire circumstances” posed by the war, the Prime Minister assured the nation that India is prepared to navigate the global energy shock and trade disruptions with a combination of vigorous diplomacy and domestic resilience.
Key Highlights from the PM’s Address:
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Massive Evacuation Success: PM Modi shared that over 3,75,000 Indians have been safely repatriated since the outbreak of hostilities, including 1,000 from Iran. He emphasized that the safety of the one crore Indians living in the Gulf remains the government’s “paramount priority.”
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Strait of Hormuz & Energy Security: With the strategic waterway facing severe disruptions, the PM declared that “obstruction of international waterways is unacceptable.” He informed the House that India has activated its Strategic Petroleum Reserves, which currently exceed 53 lakh metric tonnes, to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petrol and diesel.
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Diplomatic Outreach: The Prime Minister has personally engaged in multiple rounds of talks with heads of state from Iran, Israel, the US, and Gulf nations, pushing for an immediate de-escalation and the reopening of trade routes.
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Domestic Resilience: To tackle inflation and supply chain issues, seven new Empowered Groups have been constituted. The PM also highlighted a ₹70,000 crore mission to boost indigenous shipbuilding, aiming to reduce India’s 90% dependence on foreign-flagged vessels for oil transport.
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A Call for “Team India”: Invoking the spirit of the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi urged State Governments to coordinate closely to protect migrant workers and prevent black-marketing of essential commodities like fertilizers and LPG.
The Prime Minister concluded by asserting that while the economic recovery from this global crisis will take time, India’s diversified energy imports (now from 41 countries) and strong economic fundamentals will serve as a “bulwark” against the storm.
