Govt Sets Up Daily Task Force on West Asia Crisis

• Government forms inter-ministerial group to track West Asia developments
• Panel to assess impact on shipping, logistics, exports and critical imports
• Commerce Ministry seeks industry inputs to minimise trade disruption
• Group to meet daily for coordinated response

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd March: The Centre has constituted an inter-ministerial group that will meet daily to closely track developments in West Asia, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday, amid growing concerns over the impact of escalating regional tensions on India’s trade.

Addressing a post-Budget webinar, Goyal said the panel has been tasked with assessing potential vulnerabilities in shipping, logistics, exports and critical imports arising from the ongoing conflict in the region.

“We have set up an inter-ministerial group that meets on a daily basis and is closely monitoring the developments in West Asia to assess any vulnerabilities — in our shipping, logistics, export or even critical imports — and we will coordinate with inter-ministerial actions,” he said.

The move follows apprehensions expressed by exporters that the joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran could disrupt supply chains and impact trade flows, particularly through key maritime routes.

Goyal said the group held its first meeting on Tuesday, during which various ministries put forward suggestions to mitigate potential risks. “We shall work on those and continue to look for your valued suggestions in the Ministry of Commerce so that we can ensure minimal impact of the West Asia crisis,” he added.

India’s trade community has been closely watching the situation, given the region’s strategic importance for energy supplies and shipping lanes. The government’s daily monitoring mechanism is aimed at ensuring swift coordination and proactive measures to cushion the economy against any adverse fallout.