New Delhi, India March 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level virtual meeting with Chief Ministers on Friday evening to assess state-level preparedness in light of the escalating crisis in West Asia. The interaction is expected to focus on coordinated responses, contingency planning, and strengthening “Team India” synergy.
Sources indicated that Chief Ministers of poll-bound states are unlikely to attend the meeting. Those excused include Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.
Amid nationwide concerns triggered by rumours of fuel shortages, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged people to maintain calm. Responding to reports of long queues at petrol pumps in Jammu, Abdullah said, “My earnest request is that you stop camping outside petrol pumps. Otherwise, I will shut all petrol pumps for the next few days.” He described the situation as “regrettable,” emphasising that despite the government’s repeated clarifications of adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG, misinformation on social media continues to fuel panic.
He reiterated that no directive has been issued to restrict fuel usage and appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary hoarding. “There is a meeting of all CMs with PM Modi tomorrow online, and I will attend that,” he said, assuring that the supply situation remains stable.
The Centre’s latest outreach comes a day after an all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to brief political leaders on the West Asia situation and its implications for India. Union ministers forming the Cabinet Committee on Security — Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman — were present. Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also attended.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri delivered a detailed presentation, supported by remarks from External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The government underlined that India’s energy security remains robust, with sufficient crude oil, LPG and fertiliser supplies. Multiple shipments have recently arrived, with additional consignments en route, bolstered by India’s strong refining capacity.
Officials highlighted India’s proactive diplomatic engagement, noting that New Delhi is in constant touch with all stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted supply chains — a move described as a “diplomatic success.”On the safety front, the government reiterated that there is no cause for alarm. Indian embassies in affected regions are closely monitoring the situation and assisting nationals, with evacuation plans ready should the need arise.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha earlier, Prime Minister Modi had assured that India maintains ample crude oil reserves and has strengthened strategic petroleum storage. He also noted that India has diversified its energy import basket from 27 to 41 countries over the past decade, significantly reducing dependency on any single source.
With global trade routes — particularly the Strait of Hormuz — facing potential disruptions, the Centre maintains that India is fully prepared to tackle any economic or logistical challenges. Friday’s meeting is expected to further streamline coordination between the Centre and states to navigate the evolving crisis effectively.
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