India and the UAE agreed to work together to restore peace, security, and stability in the region, while ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. During an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia held in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, about the situation in West Asia yesterday. Prime Minister Modi strongly condemned the attacks on the UAE, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure.
The Spokesperson further informed that the Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued an advisory for Indian nationals, especially students, regarding travel via land borders to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Citizens are advised to follow the advisory for smoother cross-border movement according to their convenience.
During the briefing, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, shared the information that the availability of crude oil is normal, and refineries are operating at maximum capacity. She said that domestic LPG production has increased by 40 percent, and no shortages have been reported in any retail outlet across the country. Ms. Sharma said that the government has offered an additional 10 percent allocation of commercial LPG to all states and union territories, subject to support in the long-term transition from LPG to PNG. She added that the government has also urged commercial LPG consumers in major cities and urban areas to switch to PNG.
Speaking about enforcement actions, she said that about twelve thousand raids have been conducted in the last few days, and about fifteen thousand cylinders have been seized. She said that inspection teams of oil marketing companies have also been activated, and surprise inspections have been conducted at about two and a half thousand retail outlets and LPG distributorships.
Special Secretary for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, said that all Indian vessels remain safe, with no incidents reported. In the past 24 hours, 25 Indian nationals were repatriated after clearance from various ports. He said that the 24×7 control room handled 125 calls and about 450 emails, all promptly addressed. Mr. Sinha informed that LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are discharging cargo as per requirements, with operations supported by an additional 2,500 sq. m. space at Visakhapatnam Port. The Special Secretary said that the Ministry continues to closely monitor shipping movements, seafarers’ welfare, and overall maritime trade operations.
