Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the situation and ongoing and proposed mitigating measures in the context of ongoing West Asia Conflict.
The CCS, which is the highest decision-making body on security and strategic matters of the country, carried out a detailed assessment of the availability of critical needs of the common man, including food, energy and fuel security.
According to an official press issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the meeting focused on evaluating both immediate and long-term challenges posed by the conflict to the global economy and their implications for India.
In the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary gave a detailed presentation on the global situation and mitigating measures taken so far and being planned by all concerned Ministries/Departments of Government of India. The expected impact and measures taken to address it across sectors like agriculture, fertilisers, food security, petroleum, power, MSMEs, exporters, shipping, trade, finance, supply chains and all affected sectors were discussed.
“The overall macro-economic scenario in the country and further measures to be taken were also discussed. The ongoing conflict in West Asia will have significant short, medium and long term impact on the global economy and its effect on India were assessed and counter-measures, both immediate and long-term, were discussed” the statement said after the CCS meeting.
The impact on farmers and their requirement for fertiliser for the Kharif season was assessed. The measures taken in the last few years to maintain adequate stocks of fertilizers will ensure timely availability and food security. Alternate sources of fertilizers were also discussed to ensure continued availability in the future.
It was also determined that adequate supply of coal stocks at all power plants will ensure no shortage of electricity in India.
The government is expected to roll out several measures in coming days to diversify sources of imports required by chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and other industrial sectors. Similarly new export destinations to promote Indian goods will be developed in the near future.
In the context of extraordinary situations arising out of West Asia, PM Modi highlighted that “the conflict is an evolving situation and the entire world is affected in some form. In such a situation, all efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict.”
PM Modi directed that all arms of government should work together to ensure least inconvenience to the citizens. He emphasized the need for proper coordination with state governments to prevent black-marketing and hoarding of important commodities.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.