West Asia Crisis: Jaishankar Briefs Parl Panel On Energy Security, Safety Of 10 Million Indians

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday chaired a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Parliament for External Affairs to review India's relations with countries in the Gulf and the wider West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region, amid continuing tensions in the Middle East. According to sources, the discussion covered the welfare and safety of Indian expatriates, energy security, connectivity and diplomatic engagement with Middle Eastern countries. Around 10 million Indians live and work across the Gulf, making the region a critical part of India's foreign policy and economic interests.

Jaishankar, in a social media statement following the meeting, said the discussions had highlighted India's close ties with the Gulf and WANA region, including longstanding partnerships and cooperation in trade, investments, energy, maritime affairs and people-to-people exchanges. He added that the meeting had also underscored the government's efforts toward the welfare of nearly 10 million Indians in the region, as well as ensuring energy and fertiliser security and advancing trade and connectivity even as the conflict in the region continues. Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were among the other dignitaries present at the meeting.

The welfare of Indian expatriates was a key focus of the briefing to MPs. Large Indian communities live and work in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, making their safety and welfare an important consideration whenever tensions escalate in the region. Sources said several MPs raised concerns about the ongoing West Asia conflict and its implications for India's energy requirements, with the minister responding that New Delhi is actively diversifying its energy supply chain even as the crisis continues.

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The meeting comes as India closely monitors developments in the West Asian theatre, where maritime disruptions and security risks continue to pose challenges to regional stability, energy trade routes and the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the Gulf. India has long relied on Gulf countries for a significant share of its crude oil and natural gas imports, making the security of shipping lanes and supply routes a recurring concern for policymakers whenever regional tensions flare.

The Consultative Committee format allows the government to brief members of Parliament across party lines on foreign policy matters and gather their input, and has previously been used by Jaishankar's ministry to review India's ties with other regions and blocs. Monday's session reflects the government's effort to keep lawmakers informed on a relationship that touches millions of Indian families with members working abroad, even as the broader geopolitical situation in West Asia remains volatile and closely watched in New Delhi.

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