PM Modi says India weathered West Asia energy crisis as he unveils refinery, rolls out new UDAN phase

As the conflict in West Asia triggered what Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as the biggest energy crisis of the 21st century, India managed to steer through the turmoil by taking timely and calibrated decisions, he said on Friday while dedicating a new refinery to the nation and unveiling a series of infrastructure projects in Rajasthan.

Addressing a gathering in Balotra, Modi said many major economies continue to face fuel shortages because of the geopolitical conflict, but India had succeeded in protecting its energy security through advance planning and balanced use of resources.

"Due to the conflict in West Asia, the world witnessed the biggest energy crisis of the 21st century. Today, many major countries continue to grapple with fuel shortages. However, the resolve and determined efforts of the new India of the 21st century have overcome the biggest energy crisis," Modi said.

He added that India had "made the right decisions at every level, accurately assessed the crisis in time, devised an effective strategy, and made balanced use of the country's resources."

The remarks came as the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in Balotra spanning petrochemicals, urban transport, railways, roads, renewable energy and power transmission. At the centre of the event was the dedication of the refinery, which Modi described as another milestone in India's journey towards energy self reliance.

"Today, India has taken a giant step towards becoming developed and self reliant as this refinery is dedicated to the nation," he said.

According to the Prime Minister, the project is expected to create employment opportunities for thousands of people in the region. "This refinery will generate employment opportunities for thousands of people in the region. I especially congratulate the youth of Rajasthan," he said.

Beyond energy infrastructure, Modi also inaugurated the new airport terminal at Jodhpur and launched the next phase of the government's regional connectivity scheme, UDAN.

He said the upgraded airport terminal would strengthen economic activity across the Marwar region by improving connectivity.

"Today, the new airport terminal in Jodhpur has been inaugurated. This will give a new momentum to tourism, business and employment in Marwar," he said.

The Prime Minister also announced the rollout of a new phase of the UDAN scheme, under which the government aims to expand air connectivity to smaller towns and remote regions.

"It is also from Jodhpur that the new phase of the UDAN scheme has been launched. Under this phase, small towns and remote areas will be connected through enhanced air connectivity," Modi said.

The projects announced in Rajasthan cover key sectors ranging from petrochemicals and power transmission to railways, roads, urban transport and renewable energy, with the government positioning them as long term investments in economic growth, employment generation and infrastructure development.