Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the evolving situation in West Asia and assess its potential impact on India's national interests.
This was the second CCS meeting since tensions escalated on February 28, 2026, following US-Israel airstrikes on Iranian targets and subsequent retaliatory actions, which have led to disruptions in the region, including in the Strait of Hormuz, and volatility in global energy markets.
The high-level meeting, held in the evening, was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, among others.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chemical and Fertilisers Minister J.P. Nadda, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were also present.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, senior officials including the Principal Secretaries, and Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan also attended the meeting.
Cabinet Secretary Somanathan made a detailed presentation on the global situation and the measures already taken or under consideration by various ministries.
Discussions focused on the short-, medium-, and long-term implications of the crisis for key sectors, including energy security, petroleum imports, fertilisers, food security, agriculture, MSMEs, exports, shipping, trade, finance, and supply chains.
With nearly one-fifth of global oil trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz, India -- which depends significantly on West Asian energy supplies -- is assessing potential risks to fuel prices, aviation, and industrial inputs.
The meeting reviewed the current macroeconomic situation and deliberated on both immediate safeguards and long-term strategies to strengthen resilience.
This follows a similar CCS review held last week on the unfolding developments in the region. The government has been focusing on diversifying energy sources, maintaining buffer stocks of essential commodities, and ensuring uninterrupted domestic supply.
India has consistently called for de-escalation, dialogue, and the protection of civilian lives and critical infrastructure.
The government’s approach is aimed at mitigating external shocks while maintaining a balanced diplomatic stance amid a volatile geopolitical environment.
Picture Courtesy: IANS
