New Delhi, March 24: In a statement during the Rajya Sabha session on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the government’s efforts to reduce dependency on a single source of fuel amidst ongoing conflicts in West Asia. He noted that the government is focusing on promoting PNG (Piped Natural Gas) supply in addition to LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) for domestic gas needs. Over the past decade, there has been unprecedented progress in establishing PNG connections, and this initiative has gained momentum recently. The government is also working to significantly increase domestic LPG production.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the government’s continuous endeavor has been to minimize reliance on foreign countries across all sectors. He stated that self-reliance is the only viable option, as over 90 percent of India’s trade occurs via foreign vessels, which exacerbates the country’s position during global crises. To address this, the government has launched a campaign worth approximately ₹70,000 crores to promote ‘Make in India’ shipbuilding.
PM Modi mentioned that India is rapidly advancing in shipbuilding, ship breaking, maintenance, and overhaul facilities. Thanks to efforts made over the past decade, India now manufactures most of its weaponry domestically. He recalled a time when India was heavily dependent on foreign countries for raw materials for life-saving medicines (APIs). In recent years, significant strides have been made to develop an API ecosystem within the country. Similar measures are being taken to reduce foreign dependency on rare earth minerals.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the current crisis has impacted the global economy, and recovery from the damages in West Asia will take considerable time. The government is making continuous efforts to mitigate the adverse effects on India. He reassured that the fundamentals of the Indian economy are strong, and the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation. An inter-ministerial group has been established to regularly assess challenges in import-export activities and devise strategies to address short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
