Rajnath Singh Monitors West Asia Crisis and Safeguards Essential Supplies

The Government of India has intensified its monitoring of the evolving West Asia conflict situation, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairing the sixth meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) to assess the country’s preparedness, supply chain resilience, and availability of essential commodities.

The high-level meeting, held at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi on 27 May 2026, focused on ensuring that global disruptions caused by the conflict do not adversely affect India’s economy, fuel supplies, food security, fertiliser availability, or industrial activity.

Senior Ministers Review National Preparedness

The meeting was attended by several senior Union Ministers, including:

• J.P. Nadda

• Manohar Lal

• Hardeep Singh Puri

• Prahlad Joshi

• Ashwini Vaishnaw

• Kiren Rijiju

• Sarbananda Sonowal

• Dr Mansukh Mandaviya

• Dr Jitendra Singh

The IGoM reviewed the status of:

• Essential commodity supplies

• Petroleum availability

• Fertiliser stocks

• Industrial supply chains

• Logistics resilience

• Economic preparedness

Officials assessed potential risks arising from the continuing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, a region that remains strategically important for global energy supplies and international trade routes.

Government Urges Citizens Not to Panic

Following the meeting, Rajnath Singh assured citizens that the supply situation across India remains stable and normal.

In a public message, the Defence Minister urged people not to engage in panic buying of:

• Petrol

• Diesel

• LPG cylinders

He stated that the Government is taking all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential goods and energy supplies across the country.

The IGoM also expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that proactive planning and preparedness had helped minimise the domestic impact of global disruptions.

India’s Fuel Supplies Remain Stable

Officials informed the meeting that India’s petroleum supply situation remains fully secure despite international market volatility.

India currently possesses:

• Refining capacity of 258.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)

• Domestic petroleum consumption of 243.2 million tonnes in the last financial year

The country also exports approximately:

• 61.5 million tonnes of petroleum products annually

Officials stressed that there is currently no fuel supply gap in the country.

Oil Companies Absorbing Heavy Losses to Protect Consumers

The Government revealed that Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are absorbing significant financial losses in order to shield retail consumers from the full impact of rising global crude oil prices.

According to officials:

• OMCs are currently absorbing losses of approximately ₹550 crore per day

This subsidy cushion is intended specifically for retail consumers.

However, the Government noted concerns that some industrial and commercial users have attempted to exploit the protected retail pricing system by:

• Diverting purchases to retail outlets

• Engaging in unofficial procurement practices

• Participating in black marketing activities

The Ministry, oil companies, and state governments have intensified enforcement efforts to prevent misuse and ensure fair fuel distribution.

Fertiliser Stocks Declared Comfortable Ahead of Kharif Season

The IGoM also reviewed India’s fertiliser availability ahead of the Kharif sowing season.

Officials stated that the country’s fertiliser stock position remains “comfortable” despite international supply disruptions.

For Kharif 2026:

• Total fertiliser requirement assessed at 390.54 lakh metric tonnes (LMT)

• Current stock availability stands at approximately 200.47 LMT

Officials noted this is significantly higher than the usual stock level for this period, reflecting:

• Better planning

• Advance stocking

• Improved logistics management

Major Fertiliser Supplies Secured

The Government informed the meeting that approximately:

• 122.4 LMT of fertilisers

have already been added to national availability through:

• Domestic production

• Imports

India has also secured additional imports including:

• 15 LMT of DAP (including TSP)

• 10 LMT of NPKs including Ammonium Sulphate

These shipments are expected to arrive during May and June to support peak agricultural demand.

Officials said fertiliser subsidy payments are being cleared regularly to maintain supply chain stability and ensure smooth operations by manufacturers.

Government Monitoring Agricultural Input Availability

Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of maintaining uninterrupted access to fertilisers and agricultural inputs for farmers.

The Government said ensuring stable fertiliser supplies remains essential to:

• Protect crop production

• Maintain food security

• Prevent food inflation

• Support rural livelihoods

Officials added that ten meetings of the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) have already been conducted to monitor fertiliser availability and address emerging challenges.

The Government stated that most supply concerns have been successfully resolved through coordinated intervention.

MSMEs Welcome Emergency Credit Support

The IGoM was also informed that industry groups, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), have welcomed the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0.

According to officials, the scheme is helping businesses manage:

• Working capital pressures

• Supply chain disruptions

• Increased input costs

• Liquidity challenges

The Government has been using financial support measures to cushion industries from the impact of global uncertainty and commodity price fluctuations.

Government Focuses on Economic Stability Amid Global Uncertainty

The high-level review reflects the Government’s broader effort to maintain:

• Supply chain stability

• Economic resilience

• Energy security

• Agricultural preparedness

• Inflation control

amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

India remains heavily dependent on the region for:

• Crude oil imports

• Fertiliser raw materials

• Strategic trade routes

As global uncertainty continues, the Government has emphasised the importance of:

• Proactive monitoring

• Inter-ministerial coordination

• Strategic reserves

• Rapid response planning

to minimise domestic disruptions.

The IGoM is expected to continue closely tracking developments and reviewing preparedness measures in the coming weeks.