PM Modi Urges “Team India” Approach, Chairs Meeting with CMs on West Asia Crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a virtual meeting of chief ministers and lieutenant governors to discuss India’s preparedness amid the ongoing West Asia conflict , which began on February 28 with attacks by the US-Israel combine on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions by Tehran.

Addressing the meeting, Modi said the global situation remains dynamic , and maintaining economic and trade stability , ensuring energy security , protecting citizens’ interests , and strengthening industry and supply chains remain the government’s top priorities. He emphasised that the situation requires continuous monitoring, adaptive strategies , and constant coordination between the Centre and states , along with timely sharing of information and joint decision-making to ensure swift and aligned responses.

Modi urged the states to ensure the smooth functioning of supply chains and take strict measures against hoarding and profiteering . He also highlighted the need to counter misinformation and rumours , stressing that accurate and credible information is essential to prevent panic among citizens. The prime minister noted that India’s experience during the Covid-19 pandemic , when Centre and states worked together as “Team India” , provides a model for effectively managing the current crisis.

He highlighted the importance of state-level implementation , urging the activation of control rooms at state and district levels , especially in border and coastal states , to monitor shipping, essential supplies, and maritime operations . Modi also called for vigilance against online fraud and fake agents and recommended advance planning in sectors like agriculture .

On energy and industry, the prime minister stressed accelerating efforts to promote alternative energy sources such as biofuels and solar energy , and enhancing domestic exploration of oil and natural gas with active state cooperation. He noted that recent initiatives to strengthen India’s economic and supply systems are proving beneficial in the current context and called for continued engagement with industry and MSMEs to address their concerns.

Modi also advised states with Indian citizens in West Asia to activate helplines, appoint nodal officers, and establish district support systems to assist affected families and ensure timely information flow. He appreciated the valuable suggestions shared by the chief ministers , noting their inputs would be instrumental in managing the evolving situation.

The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh , Home Minister Amit Shah , and chief ministers including N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Revanth Reddy (Telangana), Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat), Omar Abdullah (Jammu & Kashmir), Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh), and Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh).

Rajnath Singh highlighted the government’s active measures, including ensuring timely availability of LPG cylinders and reducing excise duties on petrol and diesel . The chief ministers expressed confidence that essential commodities remain adequately available and praised the prime minister’s diplomatic outreach to safeguard Indians abroad .

The Cabinet Secretariat will hold a separate meeting with chief secretaries of poll-bound states Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry for focused coordination. Modi reiterated that addressing the challenges posed by the West Asia crisis is a shared responsibility , and expressed confidence that, through coordinated efforts , India will successfully navigate the situation.