India continues to buy oil from diversified sources keeping in mind energy security needs of its 1.4 billion people: MEA

As the West Asia crisis continues to impact energy flows, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday stated that India continues to buy oil from diversified sources, keeping in mind the energy security needs of its 1.4 billion people.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital on recent developments in West Asia, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We continue to buy oil from diversified sources, keeping in mind the energy security needs of 1.4 billion people, the current situation in the international market, and the global situation we have to deal with.”

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Jaiswal further stated that India is in discussions with several countries regarding the Strait of Hormuz. “We are trying to ensure that, firstly, our remaining ships there also return safely,” he said.

The MEA spokesperson also mentioned a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump held on Tuesday. During the phone call, he said, PM Modi and US President Trump discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of “keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure”.

“Yesterday, the Prime Minister received a call from President of the United States, Donald Trump. The two leaders reviewed the substantial progress achieved under India-US bilateral cooperation. Both sides remain committed to further strengthening a comprehensive global strategic partnership in all areas of cooperation,” he said.

Meanwhile, during the inter-ministerial briefing, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said, “All Indian seafarers in the Gulf region are safe. No incident involving Indian-flag vessels has been reported in the last 24 hours.”

He further informed that the DG Shipping control room has handled 6,449 calls and over 13,343 emails so far, including 157 calls and 215 emails in the last 24 hours.

“The Ministry, through DG Shipping, has facilitated the safe repatriation of 2,337 Indian seafarers, including 75 in the last 24 hours,” Mangal stated.