New Delhi, 25 March (H.S.):

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday chaired a crucial all-party meeting at Parliament House wrapping up just hours ago where officials revealed domestic gas production has surged to 60 percent of demand up from 28 percent when the West Asia conflict erupted four weeks back.

The 5 pm session drew heavyweights like Home Minister Amit Shah Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri alongside opposition figures including Congresss Mukul Wasnik and Tariq Anwar SP's Dharmendra Yadav and CPI(M)s John Brittas.

Leaders heard assurances that more India-bound ships will soon navigate the Strait of Hormuz a chokepoint now snarled by the Iran-US-Israel war that kicked off February 28 with strikes killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Government sources stressed protecting the Indian diaspora tops the agenda with seven empowered groups already tackling fuel supply chains and fertiliser needs as Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out Tuesday in Rajya Sabha.

Jaishankar fielded queries from party heads while officials underscored uncertainty over the wars length but vowed people-first measures including boosted local LPG output to shield households from shortages.

Absences sparked chatter – Rahul Gandhi skipped citing Sonia Gandhis health issues after cancelling Kerala plans while TMC shunned the meet with Saugata Roy dismissing it amid BJP clashes. BJP voices like Manan Kumar Mishra praised the briefing for clarifying national steps as Modi recalled COVID-era unity urging states to pitch in against this external shock.

The gathering signals broad alignment even as opposition leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge pushed for full Parliament debate over briefings reaffirming Indias push for de-escalation after Modis Trump call stressing open Hormuz lanes for global good.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar