The Centre on Thursday said all Indian seafarers in the West Asia region are safe and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours, even as authorities continue to closely monitor the evolving geopolitical situation.
At an inter-ministerial media briefing held at the National Media Centre, officials highlighted that ensuring the safety of Indian nationals and maintaining stability in critical sectors remain top priorities amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that maritime operations remain unaffected, with Indian ports functioning normally and no congestion reported. The Directorate General of Shipping’s control room has handled over 8,000 calls and 17,000 emails since its activation, while more than 2,857 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated so far.
On the domestic front, the government reassured citizens that fuel supplies remain stable despite global uncertainties. Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that petrol, diesel and LPG stocks are adequate across the country, urging people to avoid panic buying and rely on official information.
Domestic LPG supply continues to be prioritised, with over 47 lakh cylinders delivered on April 29 alone. Authorities also reported a sharp rise in digital bookings and delivery authentication measures to prevent diversion. Meanwhile, enforcement drives to curb hoarding and black marketing have intensified, with over 2,300 raids conducted nationwide in the past day.
In a push to ease pressure on LPG demand, the government is accelerating the adoption of alternative fuels such as PNG and electric cooking solutions. Since March 2026, about 5.78 lakh PNG connections have been activated, with infrastructure ready for an additional 2.66 lakh connections.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers reported a strong stock position for the upcoming Kharif season, with total fertiliser availability at 193.38 lakh metric tonnes—significantly higher than usual levels. Officials noted that supply across key fertilisers like urea, DAP and NPK currently exceeds demand, reflecting improved planning and logistics.
The Ministry of Commerce also highlighted positive economic indicators, reporting that India’s exports grew by over 20% year-on-year during the first three weeks of April 2026, led by petroleum products and electronic goods.
Officials emphasised that coordinated efforts between the Centre and states are ongoing to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities. States have been empowered to act against hoarding under the Essential Commodities Act, with control rooms and monitoring committees active across the country.
The Ministry of External Affairs added that Indian missions in the Gulf region are operating round-the-clock helplines and assisting citizens with travel, consular support and safe return arrangements. Flight operations from several countries in the region are gradually stabilising, with increased connectivity to India.
Reiterating its preparedness, the government said it will continue to issue regular updates while taking all necessary steps to safeguard citizens, maintain supply chains and ensure economic stability amid global uncertainties.
