‘Challenging’ situation due to West Asia war, says Modi as he cautions against politicisation of crisis, slams Congress remarks
PALAKKAD (Kerala), March 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government is working to ensure the war in West Asia has minimal impact on India, while accusing the Congress of making “dangerous” remarks that could risk Indian lives for “political gains”.
Speaking at a massive NDA election rally in Palakkad, Modi said many people from Kerala are working in conflict-hit regions and stressed that their safety remains a top priority.
“At this time, everyone’s attention is on the war going on in West Asia. Our government is continuously working to ensure that its impact on India is minimal,” he said.
Highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts, Modi added, “Since the beginning of the war, I have been in constant touch with the heads of all these countries. All nations are giving priority to the safety of Indians stranded in the conflict zones.” He said Indian embassies are working round the clock to support citizens abroad.
“To ensure that our brothers and sisters there do not face any hardship, Indian embassies are also working day and night. The protection of Indians’ interests is the top priority for the BJP-NDA government,” he said.
Targeting the Congress, the PM said, “You must also remember the kind of statements the Congress is making on this sensitive issue — they are dangerous. Congress wants the lives of nearly one crore Indians living in Gulf countries to be put at risk, so that it can gain political advantage from it.”
PM URGES CITIZENS TO JOIN HANDS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged all citizens to join hands to overcome the “challenging” situation emerging due to the ongoing “fierce war” in West Asia.
Addressing his monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi also cautioned those politicising the present crisis and said there is no place for self-serving politics in the prevailing situation.
He said those who are spreading rumours are causing major harm to the country.
“Presently, a fierce war is going on in our neighbourhood for a month. These certainly are challenging times. Today, through ‘Mann Ki Baat’, I would once again urge all my countrymen that we must unitedly overcome this challenge,” the prime minister said.
Those who are politicising this issue should refrain from doing so as this is a matter concerning the interests of 140 crore citizens.
There is no place for self-serving politics, he said.
“I would also appeal to all citizens to remain vigilant and not be misled by rumours. Trust only the continuous information provided by the government and take action based only on that,” he added.
As always, Modi said, he was confident that just as the people of the country have overcome past crises with their collective strength, this time too, “we will together emerge victorious from this difficult situation”.
He said millions of Indian family members live in these Gulf countries and are working there.
“I am deeply grateful to the Gulf countries, which are providing all kinds of assistance to more than 1 crore such Indians living there,” he said.
The PM said West Asia is a major centre of India’s energy needs and on account of that, a crisis is emerging around the world regarding petrol and diesel.
“Our global relations, the support we receive from various countries and the strengths the country has built over the past decade have enabled India to bravely confront these circumstances,” he said.
At the outset of this address, Modi said the month of March has been full of turbulence globally.
He said all citizens of the country remember that the entire world faced myriad problems for a long time on account of Covid.
“Indeed, all of us had expected that after emerging from the Corona crisis, the world would move forward on the path of renewed progress,” Modi said.
However, he said, situations of war and conflict have continuously arisen in different parts of the world. (PTI)
