Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the evolving situation arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia and assess its potential impact on India’s economy and essential supplies.
During the meeting, a detailed presentation was made by the Cabinet Secretary on the global scenario and the steps already taken, along with those being planned, by various ministries and departments. The discussions covered a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, fertilisers, food security, petroleum, power, MSMEs, trade, shipping, supply chains, and finance.
The CCS undertook a comprehensive assessment of the short, medium, and long-term implications of the conflict on the global economy and India. Special emphasis was laid on ensuring the uninterrupted availability of essential commodities such as food, fuel, and energy. The Prime Minister reviewed preparedness measures and directed that robust strategies be implemented to maintain stability across these critical sectors.
The impact on the agricultural sector, particularly the availability of fertilisers for the upcoming Kharif season, was also discussed. The government noted that adequate buffer stocks built over the past few years would help ensure timely supply to farmers. At the same time, alternative sources of fertiliser imports were explored to safeguard future availability.
In the energy sector, the government assessed that sufficient coal stocks at power plants would prevent any electricity shortages. Measures were also discussed to diversify import sources for key industrial inputs such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals, reducing dependency on specific regions.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the government is also planning to identify and develop new export destinations to promote Indian goods in global markets to mitigate external shocks.
The Prime Minister emphasised the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to address emerging challenges. He directed the formation of dedicated groups of ministers and secretaries to oversee response measures, along with sector-specific teams that will work in close consultation with stakeholders.
Highlighting the evolving nature of the conflict and its global repercussions, PM Modi stressed that all efforts must be made to minimise the impact on citizens. He instructed all arms of government to work in close coordination with state governments to prevent black-marketing and hoarding of essential commodities, ensuring that there is no undue inconvenience to the public.
