New Delhi, Apr 18 (TNT): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday chaired a meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) to review the evolving situation in West Asia and assess India’s preparedness, emphasising the need to be ready for both de-escalation and any renewed escalation.
The meeting, held at Kartavya Bhawan, was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Health Minister J. P. Nadda, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and other senior ministers.
Singh described the situation as “uncertain and volatile” and said the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is taking swift and effective steps to mitigate potential risks arising from the conflict.
The group reviewed measures to ensure energy security, with officials stating that India currently has sufficient stocks of crude oil, petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel for over 60 days, while LNG and LPG reserves are adequate for around 50 and 40 days respectively.
To reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, the government has diversified imports from regions such as the United States, Australia and Latin America, ensuring supply continuity for April and May.
The meeting also took note of the Cabinet’s approval for setting up a ‘Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool’ with a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore to ensure uninterrupted and affordable insurance for vessels operating through volatile maritime routes.
Ministers were informed that fertiliser stocks, including urea, DAP and NPK, remain adequate, while steps are being taken to prevent hoarding and ensure balanced usage. The government has also set up inter-ministerial mechanisms to ensure availability of petrochemical feedstock for critical sectors.
The Defence Minister emphasised the need to maintain close coordination with Indian missions abroad to ensure the safety and welfare of the diaspora, and called for consistent implementation of mitigation measures across states.
He also stressed documenting best practices and policy responses to strengthen India’s preparedness framework in dealing with evolving global challenges.
TNT TS
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