The government on Wednesday assured Opposition parties that India’s energy situation remains under control despite global disruptions during an all-party meeting convened by it on the West Asia crisis.Sources aware of the development said that the Centre emphasised to the Opposition that there was adequate energy supply available and that the government is engaging with multiple countries, displaying a proactive geopolitical stance.Addressing concerns over LPG supplies via the Strait of Hormuz, the government said four ships are set to dock within the next four to five days. Opposition queries were also taken on board with officials stressing there is no cause for concern.The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Opposition was represented by Congress Lok Sabha MP Tariq Anwar and Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik. Dharmendra Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Sasmit Patra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) were among the Opposition leaders who attended the meeting. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also attended the meeting while the TMC chose to skip it.LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge did not attend the meeting.Agencies quoting sources said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to US President Donald Trump that the war in West Asia must end soon as it is hurting everyone.Pakistan was termed as a ‘dalal’ (broker) nation in the meeting in reference to its reported mediation offer in the West Asia conflict, agencies reported.There is nothing new in Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the matter as that country has been “used” by the US since 1981, sources quoted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as saying.“We are not a ‘dalal’ nation,” Jaishankar is said to have told the attendees of the meeting convened at the Parliament complex, as reported by agencies.Sources further added that the government refuted the Opposition’s charge that New Delhi was silent on the situation, asserting that “we are commenting and responding”.When the Iran Embassy was opened, the Foreign Secretary visited immediately and signed the condolence book, the government told the parties in response to the Opposition’s charge that India displayed moral weakness in not condoling the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader sooner.The government is also said to have informed the parties that its prime concern is ensuring the security of the Indian diaspora living in the Gulf region and fulfilling domestic energy needs. On that count, the government said it has been successful so far.The Opposition, however, said the answers provided at the meeting by the government were “unsatisfactory” and demanded that a debate be held on the West Asia situation in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.Lashing out at the government, Congress’ Tariq Anwar said Pakistan is performing the mediator’s role while “we are still mute spectators”. He said there should be a debate on the situation in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193 and in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 176.All Union Ministers who are part of the Cabinet Committee on Security — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman — represented the government.Health Minister JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also attended. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made a presentation before the gathering.


