NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of escalating regional conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level, four-hour meeting of the full Council of Ministers on Thursday evening. Highlighting the energy vulnerabilities exposed by the US-Israel war on Iran and the ongoing blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the Prime Minister directed ministries to urgently scale up alternative energy sources and aggressively pursue the Viksit Bharat 2047 development roadmap.
This marked the first meeting of the full Council of Ministers in nearly 11 months, occurring just ahead of the government completing 12 years in office on June 9.
Key Takeaways
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Energy Security & Biogas Push: With crude supplies heavily disrupted due to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, PM Modi emphasized looking beyond conventional fuel frameworks. He specifically pushed for the widespread adoption of biogas as a viable substitute for LPG cooking gas to reduce import dependencies.
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Domestic Price Impact & EV Appeal: The crisis has directly hit Indian consumers, forcing Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to raise petrol and diesel prices by approximately ₹3 per litre to cover losses. To preserve foreign exchange reserves, the PM appealed to citizens to transition toward Electric Vehicles (EVs) and public transit, while curbing discretionary spending on gold and foreign travel.
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Strategic UAE Petroleum Pact: The meeting followed the PM’s return from a five-nation diplomatic tour, which commenced in the UAE. To buffer supply shocks, India and the UAE signed a landmark agreement enabling the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to boost India’s strategic petroleum reserves, alongside a guaranteed LPG supply deal.
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The 2047 Commitment & Reform Mandate: Underlining that Viksit Bharat 2047 is a firm commitment rather than a mere promise, PM Modi reviewed presentations from nine key departments—including Power, Road Transport, External Affairs, and Commerce. Ministers were instructed to simplify government functioning, prioritize public interest, and take the administration’s 12-year welfare and reform legacy directly to the public amid ongoing buzz of an upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
