NEW DELHI, March 25 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sought to assure the nation that the government is taking all measures to blunt the impact of the ongoing conflict in West Asia on supply of crude oil, gas, fertilizers and other essentials, but cautioned that the adverse impact could linger long and the crisis will "test India's resolve and efforts". Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, he described the attacks on commercial vessels and obstacles to international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as "unacceptable," and elicited the support of state governments in strengthening the efforts to ensure seamless supply of food and other essentials to the poor and the migrant workers, urging them to show unified response as 'Team India' to the global crisis. The PM's message to the states comes at a time when five states including Kerala are headed for picking new assemblies. A large percentage of people from Kerala work in the Gulf region and the state heavily depends on remittances from abroad. The PM said, the war has created a serious energy crisis across the entire world. "This situation is also concerning for India. This war is affecting our trade routes. As a result, the supply of essential goods like petrol, diesel, gas, and fertilizers is being disrupted." He informed the House about the efforts being made to restore supplies and safe passage of cargo, and said newer markets are being tapped for crude and gas. He also underscored the efforts made by the government to rescue Indians from the affected regions. "Around one million Indians live in the Gulf countries. Ensuring the safety of their lives and livelihoods is also a major concern. Many ships from across the world are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and Indian crew members are among them," he said. The PM said in such a difficult situation, it is essential that a unified voice for peace and dialogue is sent from the House of Elders to the entire world. Even as the Opposition, particularly the Congress and the Communist Parties have criticised the union government for not issuing a stern message on the West Asia conflict, particularly against the United States, the PM asserted that India is relying on "diplomacy and dialogue" for resolution. An all party meeting to discuss the West Asia crisis has been scheduled for Wednesday, following the opposition's demand for a short duration discussion on the issue. "Since the onset of the conflict in West Asia, I have held telephone conversations with the leaders of West Asian countries. We remain in constant contact with all the Gulf states, as well as with Iran, Israel, and the United States. Our objective is to restore peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy and have discussed the need for de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz," he said. Listing the efforts being made for ensuring energy security, he said in the last 11 years the government made provisions for tapping new markets for crude oil, gas and focussed on cutting down dependence on other countries. "In the last 11 years, decisions have been taken to cut dependence, energy import diversification was one such. Earlier crude and LPG was imported from 27 countries, now we do it from 41. In the last one decade India made provisions to scale crude oil reserves. Our companies have enough stocks and we have strategic petroleum reserves," he said. The PM went on to say that the refining capacity has also been scaled. "I assure the country that India has adequate storage and supply of crude oil. We are making efforts to ensure there is no total dependence on only one supply. In the last 10 years unprecedented work has been done in increasing PNG connections and domestic production of LPG is also being scaled," he said in the 21-minute speech. On the government's efforts of self-sufficiency,he said 90% of the trade being carried out through foreign ships, makes us vulnerable in testing times so Rs 70,000 crore has been allocated for Indian made ships and work related to ship building, making and maintenance has been increased. While cautioning that the impact could be felt for a longer period of time, the PM said India is committed to ensuring the safe arrival of all ships carrying essential goods such as fertilizers, oil, and gas. "The present crisis has shaken up the economy.it will take time to recuperate. But efforts are being made to blunt it. The fundamentals of our economy are strong and we are working on a war footing. An inter ministerial group has been set up that meets to work out solutions, just as was done during the Covid. Seven empowered groups have been formed to take stock of issues such as supply chain, gas, inflation, fertilizers ." he said. The PM said while 3.75 lakh Indians returned safely,it was unfortunate that some died and many others were injured. "...all countries have assured us that our people will be safe. Unfortunately, some died and some are injured. We are treating those injured," he said. Urging states to revisit the Covid management steps, the PM said all state governments should take proactive steps for the welfare of migrant workers and take quick action against blackmarketeering and profiteering. "No matter how big the challenge is, it is our duty to ensure India's fast growth. We need to keep making reforms. Yeh Team India ki pareeksha hai (this is a test of Team India)," he said. He urged the states to replicate the coordinated efforts that were made during the Covid crisis for testing, vaccination and supply of essentials. "This is a different challenge and the solutions will be different too. We will have to face this with dheeraj, sanyam, shaantman (composure, restraint and a calm mind)...But I assure that the government is alert and ready and decisions are being taken on war footing," he said....