New Delhi, 24 March (H.S.):

India maintains sharp vigilance on rapidly evolving US-Israel Iran conflict in West Asia Tuesday with government prioritizing energy security through supply diversification and safe repatriation of stranded Indians via alternate routes as confirmed at an inter-ministerial briefing.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed constant monitoring placing citizen safety and energy needs foremost with over 420000 Indians returned home noting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars recent talks with US and Sri Lankan counterparts on regional dynamics global economic impacts and energy concerns alongside GCC ambassador meetings thanking support for the Indian community and reaffirming Neighbour First Vision MAHASAGAR commitments.

Joint Secretary Gulf Aseem Mahajan detailed ongoing flights from UAE 85 expected Oman Saudi Arabia limited Qatar operations amid closed Kuwait Bahrain airspace using land routes like Armenia Azerbaijan from Iran Jordan from Israel and Saudi transits from Kuwait Bahrain Iraq for over 420000 safe returns.

Petroleum Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma assured normal petrol pump operations ample fuel stocks urged avoiding panic buying and confirmed PNGRB directives for PNG connections to homes schools hostels kitchens anganwadis within five days noting sufficient LPG cargo no distributor shortages steady deliveries despite geopolitical strains.

Shipping Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha reported all Indian vessels sailors safe in Gulf no incidents past 24 hours with LPG carriers Pine Gas 45000 MT due New Mangalore March 27 and Jag Vasanth 47600 MT targeting Kandla March 26 leaving 20 Indian flagged ships 540 crew in Persian Gulf no port congestion ongoing coordination and 26 recent seafarer repatriations via control room handling 146 calls 226 emails.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar