NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, APR 9
Amid escalating uncertainties in West Asia, the Centre has stepped up a whole-of-government preparedness strategy, with Rajnath Singh directing ministries to intensify coordination and resilience measures.
Chaired the 3rd meeting of the Group of Ministers on West Asia. Reviewed the measures being taken in the wake of evolving situation in the West Asia.
The Government is ensuring continued availability of LPG, petrol and diesel, fertilisers for farmers and facilitating supply of… pic.twitter.com/ngrTw0ZyAh
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 8, 2026
“Focus must remain on preparedness, coordination & resilience building,” Singh said after chairing the third meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) at Kartavya Bhawan-2.
- IGoM Reviews Crisis Readiness Amid West Asia Tensions
- Government Ensures Uninterrupted LPG, Fuel & Fertiliser Supplies
- India Leads Vessel Evacuations Through Strait of Hormuz
- Industry, Transport Shielded with Priority Energy Allocation
- Food, Edible Oil & Sugar Buffers Hold Firm; Prices Stable
He added: “Government is ensuring continued availability of LPG, petrol, diesel & fertilisers and facilitating supply of essential commodities.”
High-Level Coordination Across Ministries
The meeting saw participation from key ministers including Nirmala Sitharaman, S. Jaishankar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Piyush Goyal, J. P. Nadda, Hardeep Singh Puri, Prahlad Joshi, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Kiren Rijiju, K. Rammohan Naidu and Jitendra Singh.
The ministers reviewed contingency plans to shield citizens and critical sectors from global disruptions.
Energy Lifelines Secured, Supply Chain Intact
India has ensured safe evacuation of the highest number of vessels globally from the Strait of Hormuz over the past 40 days.
- 8 LPG vessels carrying ~340 TMT (≈11 days of import needs) have transited safely
- No LPG shortages reported; cylinder delivery continues nationwide
- PSU fuel outlets remain fully operational
To support vulnerable sections, the supply of 5 kg Free Trade LPG cylinders has been doubled beyond priority allocation.
Industry Shield — 70% Fuel Allocation for Core Sectors
A key decision allocates 70% of fuel demand to non-domestic bulk consumers, prioritising sectors like:
pharma, food, agriculture, steel, packaging, paints and defence-linked industries.
This move aims to:
- Prevent supply-chain disruptions
- Avoid shortages of essential goods
- Ensure continuity of industrial production
Meanwhile, Piped Natural Gas (PNG) adoption is accelerating, with 3.16 lakh new connections added—three times last year’s pace—alongside 16,700+ LPG surrenders.
Food Security Grid is strong — Buffers, Prices Under Watch
The government reported robust buffer stocks of rice and wheat, ensuring uninterrupted Public Distribution System (PDS) supply under the National Food Security Act.
- Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS-D) ready to stabilise prices
- Wheat procurement for RMS 2026–27 underway
- Packaging supply diversified to avoid disruptions
Daily price monitoring across 578 centres shows no unusual volatility, barring moderate edible oil price rise.
Edible Oil, Sugar & Onion — Supply Comfort Holds
- Edible oil imports from Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Brazil remain steady
- Domestic mustard output expected to rise ~5%
- Sugar stocks adequate; exports ongoing with stable retail prices (~3% inflation)
- Onion procurement for buffer stocks to begin soon
Crisis Playbook — Vigilance with Flexibility
The IGoM noted easing energy prices following a ceasefire signal but stressed continuous monitoring and rapid policy response as the global situation evolves.
