PM Modi to chair high-level meeting to review energy preparedness amid Middle East tensions

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi India will host a high-level meeting on Sunday evening to review its energy preparedness in case of escalating tensions in the Middle East, with senior ministers expected to assess the situation in the oil, power and fertilizer sectors, PTI reported citing sources.The meeting focused on ensuring uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and efficient distribution across the country.

Officials said continued monitoring of global developments remains the top priority to protect consumer and industry interests amid the ongoing crisis.On March 12, Prime Minister Modi stated that the war in West Asia had triggered a global energy crisis, calling it a “severe test of the national character” and that the situation needed to be handled with peace, patience and raising public awareness.The Prime Minister also stressed that the government is working tirelessly to address disruptions to international supply chains. “We are also continually working to determine how to overcome disruptions that occur in the supply chain,” he said.The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, has entered its third week and has escalated since then, with Iran retaliating against Israel and several Gulf neighbors.Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz severely affects the vital shipping lane for global energy supplies, with limited ships allowed through. The resulting blockade disrupted energy supplies in several countries, including India.Since the conflict began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held phone conversations with a number of global leaders, including those of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, France, Malaysia, Israel and Iran.