In light of the supply chain interruptions caused by the Iran war, a meeting was held on Friday among top government officials, including the Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the Power Secretary, and the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), to explore ways to increase the domestic production of induction heaters and cooking utensils in order to reduce the usage of cooking gas consumption, according to official sources.
Since the start of the West Asia crisis, there has been a surge in demand for induction heaters and other electrical items. India needs to be ready for any problems that may arise if the war lasts for more than a few months, a top official said.
The meeting to assess the situation occurs as officials get ready for a prolonged struggle and evaluate the effects of the disruptions to the importation of oil, gas, and petrochemical products. To address supply issues and alleviate cost pressures, the government has already cut import tariffs on a number of petrochemical items.
The government’s priority, according to sources, is to guarantee the availability of essential items and lessen reliance on imports in the face of the worldwide uncertainties brought about by the Middle East war.
The near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s energy supply passes, has hampered oil imports from the Middle East. This has been compounded by damage to vital energy infrastructure, such as a significant liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar, which has heightened the uncertainty surrounding these imports.
In order to make up for the gap in imports, India has diversified its oil imports and is now purchasing more crude from Russia and African nations like Nigeria and Angola. In addition to the United States, Indian oil businesses are also getting gas from other sources.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said in a national address that the US military will strike Iran very hard for the following two or three weeks, adding to the ambiguity around the situation in the Middle East. According to him, the US would restore them to their rightful place in the Stone Age.
“There was no oil or gas being pumped in the Middle East back then,” Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, said hours later on X.
The threat has been reiterated by Trump as the conflict has entered its second month and the deployment of US troops in the area has persisted. Iran has also turned down reports of ceasefire talks and a 15-point peace plan, describing it as “exceedingly maximalist and unreasonable. “