Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of seven empowered groups to tackle the long-term impacts of the West Asia conflict is a masterclass in crisis governance. By drawing upon the proven template of the COVID-19 response—when empowered groups of experts helped India navigate unprecedented challenges—the Prime Minister has signalled that this moment demands the same urgency, coordination, and resolve. The conflict’s impact on India is multifaceted. With the Strait of Hormuz—through which 20 per cent of the world’s energy flows—largely blocked, disruptions to crude oil, natural gas, and fertiliser supplies threaten to cascade through the economy. Yet the Prime Minister’s message is not one of panic but of preparedness. By establishing dedicated groups to tackle fuel, fertilisers, gas, supply chains, and inflation, the government is systematically dismantling the crisis into manageable components, ensuring that no sector is neglected and no vulnerability unaddressed. The emphasis on a “Team India” approach is particularly significant. During COVID-19, states governed by different political parties collaborated seamlessly on testing, vaccination, and essential supplies. That spirit of cooperative federalism must now be revived. The Prime Minister’s appeal to state governments to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, implement special monitoring mechanisms, and act swiftly against hoarding and black-marketing reflects a clear understanding that crises are ultimately managed at the ground level. Equally reassuring is the attention to vulnerable populations. The safe return of nearly 3.75 lakh Indians from the Gulf, including 1,000 from Iran, underscores India’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad. The reiterated position of dialogue and diplomacy, coupled with the demand that attacks on commercial ships and the disruption of international waterways are unacceptable, positions India as a voice of reason in a volatile region. Perhaps most striking is the acknowledgement that the crisis may persist, and that “self-reliance was the only option.” This is not a retreat from global engagement but a realistic assessment that strategic autonomy requires diversifying sources, strengthening domestic capabilities, and building resilience into every sector. As the world watches West Asia with bated breath, India’s response offers a model: calm coordination, federal partnership, citizen-centric protection, and strategic self-reliance. This is governance that anticipates, prepares, and protects. It deserves the nation’s full confidence.
The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is not merely a religious pilgrimage; it is one of the largest organised human movements in the world. Every year, lakhs of devotees traverse treacherous mountainous...
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