PM Modi stresses ‘Team India’ approach to tackle situation arising from West Asia conflict

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a crucial meeting via video conference with Chief Ministers of states and Union Territories to coordinate India’s response to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, amid rising concerns over energy security and supply disruptions.
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The high-level meeting focused on assessing preparedness, response mechanisms, and forward planning, with states presenting contingency strategies and readiness updates. The discussions came against the backdrop of escalating tensions involving Iran and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route that has heightened fears of volatility in fuel supplies.

‎Senior leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the virtual meeting, alongside several Chief Ministers such as N. Chandrababu Naidu, Yogi Adityanath, Omar Abdullah, Bhagwant Mann, Hemant Soren, Devendra Fadnavis, and Revanth Reddy, among others.
‎Chief Ministers from poll-bound states did not attend due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Officials confirmed that a separate meeting for Chief Secretaries of these states would be conducted through the Cabinet Secretariat to ensure coordination remains unaffected.

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‎This was the first such interaction between the Centre and states since the conflict began nearly a month ago. The government has sought to reassure citizens by ruling out any possibility of a lockdown, asserting that India has adequate energy reserves and is actively engaging with around 41 countries to diversify supply chains.

‎During the meeting, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of a “Team India” approach, recalling the cooperative federal strategy adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic. He urged states to remain vigilant against hoarding and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential commodities.

‎“In such a critical situation, it is essential that a united voice of peace and dialogue goes out to the entire world from the Upper House of India’s Parliament,” Modi said earlier in a speech in the Rajya Sabha, calling for collective global efforts to de-escalate tensions.

‎The Centre emphasised that both the Union and state governments must work in close coordination to mitigate the impact of global instability on domestic markets and supply chains, particularly fuel and essential goods.
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Earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the Centre’s decision to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel, describing it as a “strong people-centric move.” He said the measure would help shield citizens from global price volatility and added that India is fortunate to have stable leadership during challenging international conditions.