Amid opposition outcry, the government calls an all-party meeting tomorrow to discuss the Iran-US war.

On Wednesday, March 25, the government has scheduled an all-party meeting to discuss the current violence in West Asia brought on by the US-Iranian confrontation. The development coincides with criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speech in the Lok Sabha and India’s posture on international issues by the opposition. HT has learned that the all-party meeting will be held in the Parliament complex tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Additionally, it comes after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a review meeting on Tuesday where he spoke with CDS General Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Samir Kamat, among others, about the conflict.

In his speech to Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Modi discussed the conflict and reassured the nation that the administration was working tirelessly to lessen its effects. PM Modi addressed worries about the effects on gasoline, fertilizers, and national security in his first speech to the Parliament since the start of the war, calling the attacks on commercial ships and obstruction in the Strait of Hormuz “unacceptable.”

PM Modi said that India has been in touch with stakeholders in the conflict and has expressed deep concern over the developments. “As far as diplomacy is concerned, India’s standing has been very clear. From the beginning, we had expressed our deep concern on this conflict. I spoke to all leaders of West Asia and urged everyone to reduce tension and end this conflict. We have opposed attacks on people, transport and energy. Attacks on commercial ships and obstructions in Hormuz strait are unacceptable,” he said.

Many opposition leaders, however, criticized his address, claiming that PM Modi did not denounce the combined US-Israeli war on Iran that caused the world’s tensions. Congress referred to the prime minister’s comments as “a master class in self-boasts, cowardice and partisan dialogue-baazi,” according to a PTI report. Priyanka Chaturvedi, an MP for the Shiv Sena (UBT), also denounced the comments, claiming the PM responded slowly. The “partisan” approach to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East was criticized by her.

Had the Prime Minister addressed the nation in the very 1st week, he could have explained the reasons behind his visit to Israel. He could have explained why, following the passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, it took us 3 full days to officially convey our condolences,” Priyanka Chaturvedi told news agency ANI.

In his speech, PM Modi acknowledged that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran-US war made the movement of crude oil, gas and fertilisers very challenging. However, he also said that the government has intensified efforts to ensure the adequate supply of LPG. “We are relentlessly trying to minimise the impact on India. The government is working on short, medium and long term strategies. Today the fundamentals of the Indian economy are strong,” he added.

Despite the ongoing conflict, a number of Indian-flagged ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade’s impact on the flow of crude. Two LPG carriers from the United Arab Emirates and one Saudi Arabian crude oil carrier are en route to Indian ports, as previously reported .

The shipping ministry estimates that the MV Jag Vasant will arrive at Kandla port on March 26 and the MV Pine Gas will arrive in New Mangalore on March 28.