NE NEWS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, APR 2
India has stepped up its preparedness amid escalating tensions in West Asia, with round-the-clock monitoring and a calibrated response strategy, following the second meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital.
Chaired the second meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) in New Delhi.
Underlined the importance of Round-the-Clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being… pic.twitter.com/LT5douBImh
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 2, 2026
The high-level बैठक, held at Kartavya Bhawan-2, brought together key Union Ministers to assess the evolving geopolitical situation and chart measures to minimise its impact on India’s economy, energy security and public welfare.
- Rajnath Singh chairs high-level IGoM meet as global tensions trigger economic and energy safeguards
- Duty waivers, LPG supply push, ATF price cap among key measures to shield citizens
- Govt cracks down on hoarding, fake news; urges public to rely on official updates
- Industry, investors reassured amid trade disruptions with targeted relief steps
- Seven empowered groups align strategy to minimise domestic impact of overseas conflict
Be Prepared for Any Eventuality: Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh underlined the urgency of constant vigilance:
“Round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner is essential to deal with any eventuality.”
He stressed that every possible step must be taken to ensure minimal disruption to citizens, underlining a proactive and coordinated national response.
Economic Shield: Duty Cuts, SEZ Relief & Investor Clarity
The IGoM was briefed on Finance Ministry-led interventions aimed at cushioning global trade shocks:
- Full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30, 2026
- One-time relief for SEZ units to sell in Domestic Tariff Area at concessional duty (Apr 2026–Mar 2027)
- Clarification that GAAR provisions will not apply to investments made before April 1, 2017
These steps are expected to:
- Reduce cost pressures on textiles, packaging, pharmaceuticals
- Ensure supply stability
- Boost investor confidence
Fuel & Energy: Price Cap, LPG Push, Supply Stability
To shield consumers from volatility:
- 25% cap on monthly ATF price increase for domestic flights (from April 1, 2026)
- Domestic LPG supply prioritised, with enhanced refinery output
- No widespread LPG shortage, government confirms
Authorities acknowledged temporary disruptions due to panic buying, triggered by hoarding and black marketing.
Crackdown Measures
- Raids across multiple States/UTs
- Action against erring LPG distributors
- Monitoring of supply chains
Support for Vulnerable Sections & Industry
- Over 4.3 lakh 5-kg LPG cylinders sold since March 23 for migrant workers & low-consumption households
- 80% of industrial LPG demand met, ensuring operational continuity
- PNG promoted as alternative fuel for industries
Oil PSUs continue to maintain Auto LPG supply, though private operators face constraints, leading to queues in some areas.
Fake News Alert: Govt Issues Public Advisory
The government flagged misinformation campaigns, including:
- Morphed images
- Misleading social media content
Citizens are urged to rely only on official sources and avoid sharing unverified information.
Coordinated National Response
Seven Empowered Groups of Secretaries are actively coordinating across sectors, ensuring:
- Swift decision-making
- Medium- to long-term preparedness
- Seamless inter-ministerial coordination
The first IGoM meeting on March 28, 2026, had already laid the groundwork for this multi-layered response strategy.
Bottom Line
With global uncertainty rising, India is fortifying its economic and energy defences, ensuring that geopolitical shocks abroad do not translate into domestic distress at home.