The reopening of Parliament on Monday was immediately dominated by the crisis in West Asia, as senior Congress MPs Manish Tewari and Randeep Surjewala moved separate motions to suspend normal business in both Houses. The opposition is demanding an urgent, full-scale debate on the regional war and its direct threat to Indiaโs energy security, rather than settling for a unilateral government briefing.
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In the Lok Sabha, Manish Tewari called for an transparent evaluation of how the government is protecting national interests. In Rajya Sabha Surjewalaโs motion highlighted how precariously positioned Indianโs strategic partnerships are and clarified what happens to millions of Indian citizens working in Gulf states if they are affected by this conflict (Iran-Syria).
Concern is expressed as to how events may unfold as to where the conflict is going after US and Israeli forces attacked on February 28, 2019 killing Iranโs Supreme Leader; a new cycle of retaliatory attacks in the region ensues.
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While External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is already scheduled to deliver a statement on the situation today, the opposition has dismissed this as insufficient. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the “one-way” nature of ministerial statements on X, arguing that they often merely rehash well-known information without allowing MPs the opportunity to seek vital clarifications or ask probing questions.
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As the second phase of the Budget session begins its run towards April 2, the government is attempting to keep the focus on the passage of the Union Budget 2026-27 and essential legislative business. However, with domestic petrol prices sensitive to the “oil shock” and the safety of the diaspora at stake, it seems unlikely that the treasury benches will be able to bypass a more detailed parliamentary scrutiny of India’s role in this widening geopolitical storm.
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