The Centre has constituted a dedicated daily review panel to closely monitor the impact of escalating tensions in West Asia on India’s trade flows, logistics networks and energy supplies, senior government sources said.
The inter-ministerial group comprises officials from the Commerce Ministry, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Petroleum Ministry, and the Finance Ministry. The panel will assess developments in key maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, which handle a significant portion of India’s exports and energy imports.
Officials said the mechanism will review freight rates, insurance premiums, vessel movements, port congestion and payment risks on a real-time basis. The objective is to identify emerging bottlenecks early and recommend corrective measures to ensure minimal disruption to trade.
Exporters across sectors—including petroleum products, engineering goods, textiles and agricultural commodities—have expressed concerns over rising logistics costs and potential shipment delays. The government is also tracking developments in air cargo capacity, given the Gulf region’s importance as a transshipment hub for goods bound for Europe and North America.
Sources indicated that contingency plans, including alternative routing options and supply diversification strategies, are being evaluated to safeguard India’s trade interests. Coordination with shipping lines, airlines, insurers and industry bodies has been intensified to maintain supply chain stability.
The move underscores the government’s proactive approach in managing external shocks, as policymakers seek to shield the economy from prolonged geopolitical uncertainty while ensuring continuity in export-import operations.
