Oppn seeks debate on West Asia crisis in Parliament
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to US President Donald Trump that the war in West Asia must end soon as it is hurting everyone, the government told an up-in-arms Opposition at an all-party meeting on Wednesday and rubbished Pakistan’s reported mediation in the conflict, saying India is not a “dalaal” (broker) nation.
There is nothing new in Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the matter as that country has been “used” by the US since 1981, sources quoted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as saying.
“We are not a dalaal nation,” Jaishankar is said to have told the attendees of the meeting convened at the Parliament complex to discuss the West Asia crisis.
The sources added that the government refuted the Opposition’s charge that New Delhi was silent on the situation, asserting that “we are commenting and responding”.
When the Iran embassy was opened, the foreign secretary visited immediately and signed the condolence book, the government told the parties in response to the Opposition’s charge that India displayed moral weakness in not condoling the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader sooner.
The government is also said to have informed the parties that its prime concern is ensuring the security of the Indian diaspora living in the Gulf region and fulfilling domestic energy needs.
On that count, the government said it has been successful so far.
The Opposition, however, said the answers provided at the meeting by the government were “unsatisfactory” and demanded that a debate be held on the West Asia situation in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Lashing out at the government, Congress’s Tariq Anwar said Pakistan is performing the mediator’s role while “we are still mute spectators”.
He said there should be a debate on the situation in Lok Sabha under rule 193 and in Rajya Sabha under rule 176.
All Union ministers part of the Cabinet Committee on Security — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman — represented the government.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also attended. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made a presentation before the gathering.
Tariq Anwar and Mukul Wasnik of the Congress, Dharmendra Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Sasmit Patra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Sanjay Jha of JD-U, Srikant Shinde of Shiv Sena, Sanjay Singh of Aam Aadmi Party, John Brittas of CPI-M, Supriya Sule of NCP (SP), Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT), Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM were among the Opposition leaders who attended the meeting, which lasted for nearly two hours.
The sources said the government conveyed that there is no need for panic as India has enough stock with more crude oil and gas coming.
“We have already done advance order. Diversification of sources of oil and gas has been undertaken and now we are procuring from 41 countries,” the government told the meeting.
It is a diplomatic success that four India-bound ships, carrying petroleum products, have already crossed the Strait of Hormuz while five more are expected to cross soon. There are 18 India-bound ships which are stranded around the Strait of Hormuz, the participants were told.
On the US attack and sinking of an Iranian ship, the government said that had it been in Indian waters it would have been saved but unfortunately the ship was near Sri Lankan waters.
“There is a sense of gratitude on the part of Iran as we have protected other ships and sailors,” the government told the meeting.
“We are good friends with everyone – the US is our largest trading partner, Israel is our largest technological partner and we have good relations with Iran too,” it said.
The opening remarks were made by Defence Minister Singh with Jaishankar and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also speaking during the meeting.
During the question answer session, it was mostly Jaishankar who replied to the opposition’s queries and concerns. On a few occasions, Home Minister Shah also intervened.
Briefing reporters on the meeting, Rijiju said the meeting was convened because Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted it and information was shared about the crisis in West Asia.
“Several questions were raised by opposition friends regarding the situation arising from the conflict in West Asia involving Iran, Israel, and the United States – specifically about how it would impact India and what steps the government has taken for Indian citizens,” he said.
On behalf of the government, comprehensive and detailed responses were provided, Rijiju said.
“I feel satisfied to inform you that all the questions asked by the opposition and the information they sought were fully addressed by the government,” he asserted.
In the end, all opposition members stated that in this time of crisis, whatever decisions the government takes and whatever steps are required based on the situation, they will stand united and support them, he said.
Speaking with reporters, Anwar said an attempt was made to seek clarification from the government, but the meeting was “unsatisfactory”.
“It has been our longstanding demand that this issue be debated in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha under Rules 193 and 176. Only then will people feel satisfied… The government says it (we do not want war), but what difference does merely saying that make? The reality is that a conflict is already underway. Pakistan, which is smaller than us and weaker in every respect, is today acting as a mediator and playing that role, while we remain mute spectators,” the Congress leader said.
Brittas said the government has been assuring the opposition that everything is safe.
“The opposition parties expressed their disapproval of the government’s silence. All the opposition leaders who spoke said that the government should have taken a position with regard to the unilateral attack against a sovereign independent country Iran by the United States. And there have been questions raised with regard to the visit of our Prime Minister to Tel Aviv, and also there were certain questions about the proactive role of Pakistan,” Brittas said.
On the absence of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and TMC members from all-party meet on West Asia situation, Union minister Pralhad Joshi said it was a “highly irresponsible” behaviour.
“The statements that Rahul Gandhi is making raise serious questions about whether he is genuinely interested in India’s interests or in spreading rumours within the country. This has created significant doubt in people’s minds. Today, in a way, he has even appeared to appreciate Pakistan. At a time when Pakistan is making statements against India, he seems to be lending credibility to them. He should first clarify whether he stands with India or with Pakistan,” he said.
‘No scarcity of petrol, diesel’
The government said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG in the country, and urged citizens not to believe rumours circulating on social media or resort to panic buying.
LPG supplies remain affected due to the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a media briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said all refineries are operating at high capacity with “adequate crude inventories”, while “sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are being maintained” and retail outlets are functioning normally nationwide.
“Don’t believe in rumours. We have adequate fuel stocks and the government is making all efforts to reach them to consumers,” she said.
She said “panic buying was reported in some areas due to rumours”, leading to unusually high sales and crowding at petrol pumps, even though “adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available at all petrol pumps”.
“There are enough stock of petrol and diesel and there is no shortage of any retail outlet (petrol pump). Oil terminals also have enough stocks,” she said.
On LPG, the government said supply “continues to be affected due to the prevailing geopolitical situation”, though no dry-outs have been reported and cylinder deliveries are continuing as normal.
Additional allocations have been made to states, with commercial LPG supply now raised to 50 per cent in phases, prioritising sectors such as restaurants, hotels and community kitchens.
To ease pressure on LPG, the government is accelerating the shift to piped natural gas (PNG), with priority allocation ensuring “100 per cent supply to domestic PNG and CNG transport”, while industrial and commercial users are receiving around 80 per cent of their usual supply.
City gas distribution (CGD) companies have been directed to prioritise PNG connections for households and key institutions, with incentives being offered for both domestic and commercial users. The government has also asked states to fast-track approvals for pipeline expansion and simplify right-of-way permissions.
Sharma said in the last 25 days 2.5 lakh new PNG connections have been issued and 2.20 lakh LPG consumers have shifted to PNG.
Additional measures include higher domestic LPG production, extra kerosene allocation of 48,000 kilolitres to states, and promotion of alternative fuels such as PNG, electricity and coal to reduce dependence on LPG.
States have been directed to crack down on hoarding and black marketing, with over 2,700 raids conducted, around 2,000 cylinders seized, more than 650 FIRs registered and 155 arrests made so far.
Reiterating its advisory, the government said it is making “all efforts to ensure availability of petrol, diesel and LPG” and urged citizens to rely on official information, avoid panic purchases and conserve energy.
Separately, the three oil marketing companies, in social media posts, also said that there was no shortage.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation’s largest oil firm, said, there is no shortage of petrol or diesel”, adding that its outlets are “well-stocked and fully operational”.
It cautioned that rumours “can create unnecessary concern and disrupt normal supply patterns” and urged citizens to “avoid panic buying and rely only on verified information”.
IOC chairman A S Sahney said, “We would like to assure all citizens that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel. IndianOil outlets nationwide are well-stocked and functioning normally.” “Unverified rumours can lead to unnecessary panic and supply disruptions. Please avoid panic buying and trust only official sources. Let us act responsibly and support seamless fuel availability for all,” he added.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) termed reports of fuel shortages in certain areas “completely unfounded”, asserting that “there is no shortage of fuel across the nation”.
The company said India is a net exporter of petrol and diesel and has “adequate stocks of crude oil, petrol, diesel and ATF”, with supply chains operating “smoothly without any disruption”.
It added that it remains “fully operational and committed to ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply”.
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) also said there is “no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG across the country”, with supplies remaining stable and stocks adequate.
It advised customers not to be misled by rumours or engage in panic buying, and to “continue with normal consumption patterns”, adding that it is committed to ensuring “an uninterrupted and seamless fuel supply” across its network.
While the war in West Asia has disrupted crude oil, LNG and LPG supply chains, India with its diversified sourcing has been able to secure enough supplies of crude oil (the raw material used to make fuels like petrol and diesel) from West Africa, Latin America and the US.
The disruption in liquefied natural gas (LNG) due to India’s largest supplier’s facilities in Qatar being hit by the war has led to prioritisation of the fuel to domestic users and CNG, while some curtailment has been done for industrial users like fertiliser plants.
LPG is the most impacted by the war as the country relied on imports to meet 60 per cent of its demand. A majority of it came from the Gulf countries, from where supplies have been hit. This has led to the government prioritising supplies to domestic household kitchens and curtailing usage by commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants by at least half.
