New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) Senior officials from the government, including the Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the Power Secretary, and the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), convened on Friday to explore strategies aimed at enhancing the domestic production of induction heaters and cooking utensils. This initiative is part of efforts to reduce reliance on cooking gas amid supply chain disruptions triggered by the ongoing conflict in Iran, as reported by official sources.

Since the onset of the crisis in West Asia, the demand for induction heaters and similar electrical products has surged significantly. A senior official emphasized the necessity for India to brace itself against potential challenges should the war persist for an extended period.

This meeting, focused on assessing the current situation, comes as authorities prepare for a potential long-term conflict and evaluate the repercussions of disruptions in the importation of oil, gas, and petrochemical products. The government has proactively reduced import duties on various petrochemical items to mitigate supply concerns and alleviate cost pressures.

Sources indicate that the government is prioritizing the availability of essential products while striving to minimize import dependence amidst global uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict.

Damage to critical energy infrastructure, including a significant liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar, has heightened uncertainty surrounding oil imports from the Middle East, which have been adversely affected by the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial transit route for 20% of the world's energy supply.

In response, India has diversified its oil import sources, increasingly purchasing crude oil from Russia and African nations like Nigeria and Angola to fill the gap in its imports. Indian oil companies are also sourcing gas from the United States.

Amidst this backdrop, uncertainty surrounding the Middle Eastern conflict continues, particularly following a nationwide address by US President Trump, where he stated that the US military would take decisive action against Iran in the coming weeks. He emphasized the intent to “bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong.”

In response, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, expressed skepticism on social media, highlighting that there was a time when no oil or gas was being produced in the Middle East.

As the conflict approaches its second month, Trump has reiterated threats while US military deployments in the region continue. Iran has dismissed reports of ceasefire discussions and a proposed 15-point peace initiative, labeling it as “extremely maximalist and unreasonable.”