Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently assured the nation that the government is providing all possible support to Indians stranded in Gulf countries amid the ongoing Gulf war. Speaking in poll-bound Kerala, the Prime Minister criticized Congress for "politicising" the crisis and making "provocative and irresponsible statements," which he claimed could worsen the situation for Indians abroad.
PM Modi emphasized that India's missions and embassies in the Gulf region are offering round-the-clock assistance to Indian citizens, with friendly governments in the region also helping to ensure their safety. The Prime Minister reassured the public, stating, “Whenever our citizens get stuck in another country, we use all our strength to help them. Be it rescuing nurses in Iraq or saving Father Tom from terrorists in Yemen, today’s Bharat does not leave its citizens alone in times of crisis.”
He condemned Congress for allegedly seeking to gain political advantage from the situation by making statements that could escalate tensions and leave more Indians stuck in the crisis, making it an opportunity for political campaigns. "Congress is deliberately making provocative and irresponsible statements to worsen the situation. So that our people stay stuck in that crisis, and then these people can start a campaign to make reels abusing Modi," the PM said.
In addition, PM Modi discussed the importance of expanding the petroleum sector for strengthening India’s self-reliance, citing the ongoing Gulf war as a stark reminder of the need for energy security. He noted that India’s push for self-reliance, emphasized during the COVID crisis and the Ukraine conflict, is once again relevant in light of current global issues. Furthermore, the PM laid the foundation stone for a polypropylene unit at the Kochi Refinery, a move aimed at boosting India’s self-sufficiency and supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that India is receiving global recognition for its large-scale investments in modern infrastructure. He pointed out that the Union Budget for the year has allocated record funds for infrastructure development, which is benefiting states like Kerala. This push for infrastructure expansion reflects the government's vision for sustainable growth and self-reliance, essential in times of geopolitical crises.
