External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar convened a Consultative Committee meeting in New Delhi on Monday to review India’s multifaceted relationships across the Gulf and the West Asia/North Africa (WANA) region. During the session, which was attended by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other key officials, Jaishankar emphasized the deep-rooted nature of these partnerships. He highlighted ongoing cooperation in critical sectors such as trade, investment, maritime security, and energy, while stressing the importance of strengthening people-to-people connections.
A primary focus of the discussion was the welfare of the 10 million Indians residing in the region, alongside efforts to maintain energy and fertilizer security despite the ongoing conflicts in the area. These diplomatic priorities align with broader government initiatives to safeguard national interests during periods of geopolitical volatility. In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the fourth special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to specifically address the escalating situation in West Asia, with a particular emphasis on supply chain resilience and the safety of citizens.
During that earlier security review, the Cabinet Secretary briefed the committee on measures to stabilize the supply of essential commodities, including LNG, LPG, and fertilizers. To mitigate risks, India has successfully diversified its LPG procurement sources, and domestic refineries are currently operating at over 100 percent capacity to ensure a steady output of diesel, petrol, and other petroleum products. Furthermore, the government is actively expanding Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure to meet rising domestic demand.
The protection of seafarers also remains a top priority for the administration. Following the CCS meeting, Prime Minister Modi ordered the creation of a dedicated mechanism to provide emergency assistance, counseling, and timely information to seafarers and their families, particularly those serving on vessels navigating through conflict zones. Additionally, the government has conducted rigorous assessments of fertilizer requirements for the upcoming Rabi season, exploring alternative supply routes to ensure that agricultural sectors remain unaffected by regional disruptions. The report also notes that as well as ensuring energy and fertiliser security, and advancing our trade and connectivity amidst the ongoing conflict in the region,” he added, also underscored our efforts towards welfare of 10 million Indians.