New Delhi, Jul 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed the need to accelerate the use of renewable energy sources, including solar power and other non-fossil fuel-based sources, to ensure India’s energy independence. Chairing a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting to review the situation arising from the ongoing West Asia conflict, PM Modi directed that all necessary measures be taken to ensure uninterrupted availability of fertilisers during the season.
He directed the establishment of a mechanism to provide timely information, emergency assistance, and counselling to seafarers and their families.
The PM stressed that all efforts must be made to safeguard Indian citizens as well as the Indian diaspora from the impact of the ongoing conflict. He called for a continued whole-of-government approach to address challenges arising from the crisis. PM Modi also directed that a unified and coordinated mechanism be put in place for regular monitoring of all developments to ensure the expeditious implementation of appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of citizens.
This was the fourth special CCS meeting convened to review the situation and measures being taken by various ministries and departments to safeguard the interests of citizens. Earlier, the Cabinet Secretary briefed the CCS on the prevailing geopolitical situation and initiatives taken to ensure adequate supplies of petroleum products, including LNG and LPG, besides fertilisers. He said sources for procurement of LPG had already been diversified and the overall stock and supply position of major petroleum products remained adequate.
The Cabinet Secretary said adequate availability of crude oil had enabled Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) refineries to operate at utilisation levels exceeding 100 percent, ensuring continued production of petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products.
He also briefed the meeting about initiatives to expand Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections, which have resulted in a substantial increase in their availability.
The Cabinet Secretary said that the government was facilitating industrial substitution of LPG through expansion of the National Gas Grid, augmentation of LNG import and regasification infrastructure, expansion of City Gas Distribution networks, and time-bound approvals for pipeline and last-mile connectivity under the Pipeline Infrastructure Order, 2026.
The requirement for fertilisers for the upcoming Rabi season was also assessed during the meeting, with alternate sources of supply discussed.
The situation of seafarers serving aboard domestic as well as foreign-flagged vessels in conflict zones was also deliberated upon.
PTI ADDS TO THE REPORT
During the CCS meeting, PM Modi discussed with a group of senior ministers the prevailing global security situation and how to maintain supply chain uninterrupted despite conflicts in different zones, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
The extended CCS meeting, chaired by the PM, was attended by permanent members – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and special invitees – Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister J P Nadda, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri, official sources said.
It is understood that a comprehensive discussion was held regarding ongoing global conflicts, their security implications, and the resulting disruptions to India’s imports and supply chains – most of which transit through these conflict zones.
During the two-hour-long meeting at the Parliament House complex, the ministers gave presentations on their respective ministries and steps taken by them to ensure uninterrupted import of all goods, including petroleum, natural gas and fertilisers. Before the US-Israel’s war with Iran, India’s 40 percent energy import came through the Strait of Hormuz. With the conflict not ending permanently, India’s energy import from West Asia was badly hit. The energy import through the Strait of Hormuz continues to be minimum due to the intermittent attacks on the oil and cargo ships.
Last week, the Yemen-based Houthi militia announced that it will target Saudi Arabian tankers attempting to cross the Bab al-Mandab. The group also targeted a few ships following the announcement. The Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea and a critical chokepoint for global trade, and energy supplies — similar to the Strait of Hormuz. According to the data available, the impact is already visible as ships crossings through the Bab al-Mandab decreased to an average 31 per day over the past three days in comparison to 43 per day in the first half of July.
Besides, Russian oil import through the Black Sea is also under pressure as Russia-Ukraine war intensified. There have been several attacks on ships passing through the Black Sea in last few days. India depends on imports to meet its over 88 percent energy requirements. India also imports a large amount of fertilisers from various sources. Besides about one crore Indians live and work in West Asia.
