Defence Minister-led IGoM on West Asia reviews availability of essential commodities & supply chain resilience in India amid the ongoing crisis

• Supply situation is normal, people should avoid panic purchase of fuel: Defence Minister

• “Govt is leaving no stone unturned to ensure availability of all essential items”

• IGoM expresses gratitude to PM Modi for his outstanding leadership during difficult times

New Delhi. The Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, reviewed the evolving situation in the conflict and assessed India’s preparedness & response measures during its sixth meeting at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi on May 27, 2026. Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda; Minister of Power Mr. Manohar Lal; Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri; Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Mr. Prahlad Joshi; Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Kiren Rijiju; Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal; Minister of Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh attended the meeting.

The IGoM took stock of the availability of essential commodities and the resilience of the supply chains of the country. In a post on X, Defence Minister stated that the supply situation in the country today is normal, adding that the citizens should avoid panic purchases of petrol, diesel and LPG as the Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the availability of all essential items. The IGoM expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for his farsighted vision and providing outstanding leadership during difficult times, ensuring that the impact of global disruptions remains minimal on the people.

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Mr. Rajnath Singh directed the officials to make continuous efforts to enhance the nation’s preparedness in light of the evolving situation. He stressed that fertilisers and other essential agricultural inputs should remain adequately available to farmers to ensure that food prices in the country continue to remain stable.

The IGoM was apprised that supplies of petrol and diesel across the country remain fully adequate. India is the world’s fourth largest refiner, with installed capacity of 258.1 MTPA against domestic consumption of 243.2 MT in the last completed financial year, and exports approximately 61.5 MT of petroleum products annually. There is no supply gap.

During the present disruption, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies have refrained from passing the full international price into retail, absorbing approximately Rs 550 crore per day as losses. This cushion is intended for retail consumption alone; industrial and commercial diesel tracks international prices as a matter of standing policy. A pattern has emerged of industrial users substituting their entitled industrial procurement with retail purchases to capture the protected price, alongside instances of black marketing by certain dealers. The Ministry, the OMCs and the State Governments have intensified field enforcement, and the industry associations are being engaged to remind members of the conduct expected.

The IGoM was informed that the overall Stock Position of fertilizers in the country is comfortable. For Kharif 2026, the fertiliser requirement has been assessed by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare at 390.54 LMT, and as on today, it is around 200.47 LMT (more than 51%), significantly higher than the usual level of about 33%. This reflects improved planning, advance stocking, and efficient logistics management by the Government.

Approximately 122.4 LMT fertilizers through imports and domestic production have been added in the availability after the crisis situation. India has secured approx. 15 LMT DAP (Including TSP) and 10 LMT NPKs including AS from out of SOH to be arrived on Indian ports in May and June. These will help to ensure adequate availability during the peak season. Availability of inputs for production of fertilizers i.e. Urea and P&K fertilizers are being regularly reviewed by the Department of Fertilizers. It is regularly paying all the subsidy bills raised by the companies on a weekly basis.

Ten (10) meetings of the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) have been held till date to ensure the adequate availability of the fertilizers. Most of the challenges in the availability have been addressed by EGoS. India’s fertiliser security remains strong, stable, and well-managed, with availability consistently exceeding requirement across all major fertilisers.

The IGoM was also apprised that the industry, particularly MSMEs have expressed appreciation to the Government for the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0 which is helping alleviate working capital stress among MSMEs.