Basic HTML Version

|  | Table of Contents |  | View Full Version

Page 4 - The Indian EYE 032026
P. 4

    COVER STORY                                                            MARCH 20, 2026      |  The Indian Eye                    4

                                                    MIDDLE EAST WAR

               INDIA FEELS

                                    SHOCKS

                From energy supply disruptions to threats to Indian nationals abroad, the escalating conflict involving Iran,
              Israel and the United States is beginning to produce tangible economic and strategic consequences for India

            OUR BUREAU

            Tehran / Muscat / New Delhi
                  he rapidly intensifying conflict
                  in West Asia is beginning to
            Tcast a long shadow over India,
            exposing the country’s vulnerability
            to global energy disruptions and geo-
            political instability in the Gulf region.
            As tensions escalate between Iran,
            Israel and the United States, India
            finds  itself  grappling  with  multiple
            risks—from fuel supply concerns and
            shipping disruptions to the safety of
            thousands of Indian citizens living in
            the region.
                India’s  leadership  has  moved
            quickly to contain the fallout, com-
            bining  diplomatic  outreach, domes-
            tic energy measures and emergency
            support for Indian nationals. Yet the
            developments highlight the structur-
            al dependence of the Indian econo-  The Shenlong vessel carrying tonnes of Saudi crude oil enters Indian waters to be berthed at Mumbai Port on Wednesday. The Shenlong vessel
            my on energy flows through the Gulf,
            particularly the Strait of Hormuz,             is the first India-bound tanker to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Iran war began (ANI Video Grab)
            one of the world’s most critical mari-
            time chokepoints.                 zone. Modi emphasized that these is-  markets.                      LPG, I would like to state that this
                Prime Minister Narendra Modi   sues remain at the center of the gov-  Amid rising concerns over global   remains a matter of concern for us.
            underscored the seriousness of the sit-  ernment’s response.        supply constraints of LPG due to the   Nevertheless, despite this situation,
            uation in a conversation with Iranian   “The safety and security of Indi-  ongoing tensions in West Asia, the   no dry out has been reported at any
            President Masoud Pezeshkian, focus-  an nationals, along with the need for   Ministry of Petroleum and Natural   of our 25,000 distributors. I would
            ing on the deteriorating security en-  unhindered transit of goods and en-  Gas on Friday assured that India has   like to appeal to all  fellow citizens
            vironment and its wider implications.  ergy,  remain  India’s  top  priorities,”   adequate availability of petrol and die-  not to give credence to rumors and to
                “Had a conversation with Iranian   he said, while reiterating India’s call   sel across the country, while the LPG   refrain from engaging in panic buy-
            President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian,   for  dialogue  and  diplomacy  to  end   situation continues to remain a “mat-  ing,” said Sujata Sharma.
            to discuss the serious situation in the   the crisis.               ter of concern” for the government.   But the Leader of Opposition
            region. Expressed deep concern over   The war’s impact on energy sup-   Speaking during an inter-minis-  Rahul Gandhi warned in Parlia-
            the escalation of tensions and the   ply routes is perhaps the most serious   terial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint   ment that the consequences for In-
            loss of civilian lives as well as dam-  challenge facing India. Nearly a fifth   Secretary  (Marketing  &  Oil  Refin-  dia could be severe if the waterway
            age to civilian infrastructure,” the   of the world’s oil passes through the   ery) at the Ministry of Petroleum and   remains blocked or unsafe. “A war
            Prime Minister said in a post on X.  Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway   Natural Gas, said petrol and diesel   has broken out in the Middle East.
                Beyond humanitarian concerns,   between Iran and Oman that serves   supplies remain stable and available   The United States, Israel and Iran
            India’s immediate priority is safe-  as the main gateway for Gulf energy   at all fuel stations. “Petrol and die-  are at war. This war is going to have
            guarding  the  flow  of  energy  and   exports. Any disruption there can   sel are available in adequate quanti-  far-reaching consequences,” Gandhi
            protecting its citizens in the conflict   immediately ripple through global   ties at all petrol pumps... Regarding   Continued on next page... >>

                                                                   www.TheIndianEYE.com

| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 |