India should be ready for renewed escalation of West Asia conflict: Defence minister

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday termed the ground situation of the West Asia conflict as uncertain and volatile, and emphasised the need for India to remain prepared for any fresh escalation.

In a post on X, he wrote that "the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to take swift and effective action to mitigate any potential risks or problems arising due to the conflict."

Rajnath, presiding over a meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) headed by him, reviewed the current situation in West Asia on Saturday and discussed India's preparedness as well as the future course of action.

Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar was among a host of key cabinet ministers who attended the meeting.

The IGoM was informed that despite a significant global supply shock, India has maintained an adequate fuel stock position. Currently, India has inventories of crude oil, petrol, diesel and ATF sufficient for over 60 days of consumption.

LNG stocks sufficient for approximately 50 days and LPG stocks for about 40 days respectively are maintained by domestic production. To mitigate risks arising from heavy dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, India has diversified import sources, securing crude, LNG and LPG supplies from regions including the United States, Australia and Latin America.

The import requirements for April and May this year are largely secured, ensuring continuity of supply, the meeting was told, according to an official statement.

Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is being actively promoted wherever feasible to reduce LPG dependence. Since March this year, more than 4.76 lakh PNG connections have been gasified. Further, more than 5.33 lakh customers have been registered for new connections.

The ministers were informed that the wholesale as well as retail prices of all food commodities are stable and range-bound.

The IGoM was informed that India has adequate fertiliser stocks. From March to April 16 this year, a total of 47.50 lakh tonnes of fertilisers have further boosted the stocks.

A special arrangement for procuring LNG for the production of urea has been successful, and the phosphoric acid issue has been resolved. A substantial amount of ammonium sulphate is being tied up for import as an alternative fertiliser.