New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the evolving situation in West Asia and assess the preparedness of various ministries to deal with the impact of the ongoing conflict. The meeting, the fourth special CCS session on the issue, focused on ensuring India’s energy security, fertilizer availability, and the safety of Indian citizens.
The Cabinet Secretary informed the committee that the government has taken several steps to maintain an uninterrupted supply of crude oil, LPG, LNG, and other petroleum products. He said India has diversified its LPG import sources and that adequate crude oil stocks have enabled public sector refineries to operate at more than 100 per cent capacity. The government is also expanding Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections, the National Gas Grid, LNG infrastructure, and City Gas Distribution networks to strengthen energy security.
The CCS also reviewed fertilizer requirements for the upcoming Rabi season, with the Prime Minister directing officials to ensure uninterrupted supplies to farmers. The safety of Indian seafarers working in conflict zones was also discussed, and Modi instructed authorities to establish a mechanism to provide timely information, emergency assistance, and counselling to seafarers and their families.
Emphasising a coordinated approach, the Prime Minister directed all ministries to work together to protect Indian citizens and the diaspora from the effects of the conflict. He also called for greater focus on renewable energy, including solar power and other non-fossil fuel sources, while ordering continuous monitoring of the situation to enable swift implementation of measures in the national interest.
