Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government was working to limit the impact of the West Asia war on India, while accusing the Congress of making “dangerous” remarks that could put Indians living in the Gulf at risk for political gains”.“At this time, everyone’s attention is on the war going on in West Asia. Our government is continuously working to ensure that its impact on India is minimal,” he said while addressing a rally in Kerala. “The Congress wants the lives of nearly one crore Indians living in Gulf countries to be put at risk, so that it can gain political advantage from it,” he said.The Congress, meanwhile, alleged that Pakistan becoming a “dalaal” (broker) was a “reflection of the colossal failure” of the Modi government’s foreign policy, diplomatic engagement and narrative management following India’s striking military success in Operation Sindoor. It said the “unravelling” of PM Modi’s heavily “personality-driven foreign policy” had exposed “the self-styled Vishwaguru as a Vishwaphoney”.In his 132nd episode of Mann ki Baat, the PM cautioned political parties against politicising the West Asia conflict, even as he flagged its wider global and domestic implications, including emerging pressure on energy supplies.Referring to the past month, PM Modi said March had seen significant global developments, adding that expectations of a steady recovery after the Covid pandemic had been unsettled by fresh conflicts across regions. He pointed to the continuing war in West Asia, describing it as a serious situation with both economic and humanitarian consequences.The PM said a large number of Indian families were directly connected to the region, with over one crore Indians living and working in Gulf countries. He acknowledged the support extended by these nations in ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian citizens during the ongoing crisis.On the economic front, Modi underlined that the conflict zone remained critical to India’s energy requirements. Disruptions in the region, he said, were beginning to strain global fuel supply chains, leading to concerns over availability and pricing.Describing the current phase as difficult, Modi said India was dealing with the situation through its strengthened international ties and internal capabilities developed over the past decade. These, he said, were helping the country respond to global uncertainties in a more stable manner.Turning to domestic politics, the Prime Minister said issues affecting the welfare of the country’s population should not be used for political gains. He indicated that attempts to draw political advantage from such crises would not be appropriate and called for restraint in public discourse.He urged citizens to remain united, saying a collective approach would be essential in dealing with the challenges arising from the evolving global situation.Apart from geopolitics, Modi also spoke about health and lifestyle concerns. He urged people to consciously reduce sugar intake and cut down cooking oil consumption by around 10 per cent, saying such small steps can help prevent obesity and related diseases. Referring to a social media post by content creator Yuvraj Dua, he noted that public awareness on such issues was increasing and could bring about positive behavioural change within families.The PM reiterated the importance of fitness, noting that interest in yoga continued to grow globally ahead of International Yoga Day. He cited examples of individuals promoting yoga abroad, including efforts in African countries.Highlighting sports, Modi said more young people in India were taking up a wider range of disciplines. He referred to athlete Gulveer Singh’s recent performance at the New York City Half Marathon, where he finished among the top competitors, and squash player Anahat Singh, who has achieved international success at a young age.He also mentioned the Asmita Athletics League, noting that a large number of women participated in sporting events organised around International Women’s Day. He said the increasing participation of women reflected a broader shift in the country’s sporting landscape.The PM said such developments indicated a positive change, with more people adopting healthier lifestyles and engaging in sports across the country.