Last Updated on March 24, 2026 9:52 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
ANDALIB AKHTER / New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in the West Asia region amid the ongoing conflict, stressing that India is actively engaging with global leaders to reduce tensions and safeguard vital trade routes.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister said India has consistently advocated de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for global energy supplies. He said he has held telephone conversations with leaders from Gulf nations as well as Iran, Israel and the United States since the conflict began.
Modi said attacks on commercial vessels and disruptions to international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable. He added that India is using diplomatic channels to ensure the safe passage of Indian ships despite the challenging security environment.
The Prime Minister noted that the conflict, which has continued for over three weeks, has triggered a serious global energy crisis. For India, he said, the disruption of trade routes has affected the regular supply of essential commodities such as petrol, diesel, gas and fertilisers. However, he added that several ships carrying crude oil and LPG have reached India from multiple countries in recent days, ensuring continued supplies.
Highlighting the human dimension of the crisis, Modi said nearly one crore Indians live and work in Gulf countries, making their safety and livelihoods a key concern. He also noted that many ships from around the world remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, with Indian crew members on board. Since the conflict began, more than 3.75 lakh Indians have returned home safely, including around 1,000 evacuated from Iran.
The Prime Minister said the government is strengthening India’s economic resilience by reducing dependence on external sources. Noting that over 90 per cent of India’s trade is carried on foreign ships, he said the government has invested about ₹700 billion to promote the construction of Made-in-India vessels.
He added that India has expanded its energy import sources from 27 countries to 41 over the past decade and is closely monitoring the evolving situation to minimise its economic impact while ensuring adequate fertiliser supplies for the upcoming sowing season.