PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the difficult global conditions caused by the West Asia conflict are likely to persist for a long time and called upon the nation to remain prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi addressed concerns related to the impact on fuel, fertilisers, national security and other areas in India as well on its nationals residing in the West Asia region, detailing steps taken by the Government to ensure that “ordinary families face as little trouble as possible”, and said a unanimous voice should go out to the world from India’s Parliament on this crisis. Reaffirming India’s unwavering commitment to humanity and peace, the Prime Minister said the dialogue and diplomacy remain the only path to resolution and every Indian effort is directed at de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities. Informing the House that he has engaged with all relevant West Asian leaders and urged them to reduce tensions and end the conflict, Modi emphasised that attacks on commercial ships and obstruction of international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world’s energy is transported, are “wholly unacceptable”. He said endangering any life in this war runs counter to the interests of humanity and “India’s effort is to encourage all parties to arrive at a peaceful resolution as soon as possible”.

 

On India’s diplomatic response to the West Asia conflict, the Prime Minister said India’s stand has been clear from the very beginning, when the US and Israel attacked Iran and the latter retaliated by targeting its Gulf neighbours and Israel, “one of expressing deep concern, advocating de-escalation, and opposing attacks on civilians and on energy and transport infrastructure”. “India, through diplomacy, is making continuous efforts for the safe passage of Indian ships even amidst the war environment. Due to such efforts, several of our ships that were stuck in the Strait of Hormuz have also arrived in India in recent days,” he said. The Prime Minister also drew the attention of the House to the internal security dimension of the crisis, warning that certain elements attempt to exploit such situations. He said all security agencies have been placed on alert and that security across all domains, coastal, border, cyber, and strategic installations, is being further strengthened. “Whether it is coastal security, border security, cyber security, or strategic installations, the security of all is being reinforced,” he said. Urging patience, restraint, and vigilance, and cautioning against those who may seek to exploit the situation by spreading falsehoods, engaging in black-marketing, or hoarding, Modi appealed to all State Governments to ensure strict monitoring and swift action against such elements.

 

Expressing his abiding faith in the collective resolve of the nation, the Prime Minister said that when every Government and every citizen of this country walk together, “we can challenge every challenge, this is our identity, and this is our strength”. The Prime Minister remarked that the difficult global conditions caused by this war are likely to persist for a long time and called upon the nation to remain prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister said the crisis has been going on now for more than three weeks and it is having a very adverse impact on the global economy and on people’s lives. The entire world is urging all parties for the earliest resolution of this crisis, he said. This region is important to India for yet another reason, as nearly one crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries and among the commercial ships that sail in these seas, the number of Indian crew members is also very high, he said. “India’s concerns are naturally greater, and therefore it is essential that a united and unanimous voice goes out to the world from India’s Parliament on this crisis,” he said. Modi underscored how the energy diversification strategy pursued over the past decade has proven its worth in the current crisis.