In a high-level strategic meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to evaluate measures addressing the ongoing conflict in West Asia and its potential impact on India. The CCS, the country’s top decision-making body on security and strategic issues, includes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, all under Modi’s leadership.
The meeting focused on ensuring the supply of essential commodities and energy security amid the volatile situation. A detailed assessment was presented on the availability of critical items such as food, energy, and fuel for the common populace. The government emphasized that the conflict remains an evolving scenario with global repercussions, necessitating proactive measures to safeguard Indian citizens.
Key resolutions from the meeting include maintaining adequate coal supplies at power plants to prevent electricity shortages, diversifying sources for petrochemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and industrial inputs, and bolstering fertilizer stockpiles to secure food production. Discussions also covered exploring alternative fertilizer sources to prepare for future needs.
Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to mitigating the conflict’s impact. He stated, “We had extensive discussions on short, medium, and long-term measures, including ensuring fertiliser availability, diversifying import sources, promoting exports to new destinations, and more, to safeguard our citizens.”
The CCS also deliberated on expanding export markets for Indian goods and developing new international trade partnerships. A comprehensive presentation by the Cabinet Secretary outlined the global situation, along with the ongoing and planned measures by various government ministries to address sector-specific challenges.
The meeting concluded with directives to form a group of ministers and secretaries tasked with managing the effects of the Middle East conflict across sectors such as agriculture, energy, MSMEs, trade, finance, and supply chains.
