LoP Bajwa slams Centre's diplomatic failure amid global energy uncertainty

Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Thursday raised the issue of the growing LPG crisis in the country and Punjab during the Assembly session and expressed serious concern over the larger global developments that could worsen the situation for ordinary citizens.

Speaking in the House, Bajwa said that the shortage and irregular supply of LPG cylinders across several parts of Punjab has caused severe hardship for households, particularly middle-class and economically weaker families. He said that many consumers are facing long waiting periods while distributors are struggling to meet the demand.

Bajwa pointed out that the situation is even more worrying in the backdrop of the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, which has disrupted global oil supplies and triggered a sharp surge in energy prices worldwide. The ongoing war in the Gulf region has led to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial global oil route — raising fears of further disruption in energy markets.

He said that such a volatile international situation demands strong and balanced diplomacy from India. However, he criticised the Union Government led by Narendra Modi for what he described as a 'complete failure of foreign policy'.

Bajwa said that for decades India maintained strong and balanced relations with countries across West Asia, including Iran and the Arab world, which helped secure India’s energy interests and diplomatic standing. Unfortunately, he said, the present government has weakened that balanced approach.

“India today finds itself diplomatically isolated in a region that is crucial for our energy security. Instead of maintaining strategic autonomy and acting in the national interest, the Modi government appears to have sacrificed long-standing relationships just to please the United States and Israel,” Bajwa said.

He added that India imports the majority of its crude oil from the Middle East, and any escalation in the region directly impacts the prices of LPG, petrol and diesel for Indian citizens.

Bajwa warned that the people of India, especially poor households, could ultimately bear the brunt of these diplomatic failures through rising fuel prices and shortages of essential commodities like LPG.

He urged the state and the Central government to take immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply and protect citizens from the economic fallout of the ongoing global crisis.