‘West Asia crisis cannot paralyse India’s growth agenda’, says NITI Aayog VC Ashok Lahiri

India must stay focused on building human capital and strengthening long-term economic fundamentals despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said on Thursday, asserting that external geopolitical shocks should not derail the country's development agenda.

Speaking to reporters after the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, Lahiri said India was navigating a difficult global environment but remained among the world's fastest-growing major economies. Lahiri described the Governing Council as one of the country's most important policy forums and said discussions increasingly revolved around clearly defined themes and actionable outcomes aligned with the Viksit Bharat vision for 2047.

"We can't change the wind, we can only trim the sails. India is playing its role during the West Asia crisis. We are growing the fastest. We have to keep doing our homework, which is the development of human capital. Because of the West Asia crisis, we can't be paralysed, we have to keep doing our work," Lahiri said.

The remarks come amid heightened concerns over the economic fallout of the ongoing tensions in West Asia, particularly on energy markets, trade flows and global growth.

Energy security takes centre stage

While the meeting was held under the theme Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047, energy security emerged as a key area of discussion among chief ministers and the Centre.

Lahiri said several participants deliberated on ways to make energy more affordable and accessible, with particular emphasis on expanding rooftop solar installations across households, schools, hospitals and government buildings.

According to him, greater adoption of distributed solar power could reduce dependence on grid electricity while easing the burden of power subsidies on state governments.

"There was a lot of discussion on making energy prices competitive and energy available," Lahiri noted, adding that several members also highlighted the growing acceptance of nuclear power as a reliable and safe source of clean energy.

NITI Aayog member Rajiv Gauba said the West Asia situation remained in the background of discussions, although no state specifically sought financial or policy support from the Centre due to the geopolitical developments.

The day-long meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, witnessed participation from chief ministers of all 28 states for the first time.