West Asia, Russian oil waiver, trade deal: EAM Jaishankar to brief Parliament as budget session resumes

External affairs minister S Jaishankar will make a statement in Parliament on the West Asia situation as the second half of the budget session begins amid political confrontation.

• Jaishankar to brief Parliament on West Asia conflict, Indian safety
• Opposition to question government on foreign policy, oil deals
• Budget session continues amid NDA-opposition confrontations

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will make a statement in Parliament on Monday on the evolving situation in West Asia and address concerns over the safety of Indians living in Gulf countries, according to the revised business of the House for the second half of the budget session.

The session, which resumes on Monday, is expected to begin amid confrontation between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition over several issues including a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the conflict in West Asia, and the India–US trade deal.

According to the revised agenda circulated for the day’s proceedings, Jaishankar “will make a statement on the situation in West Asia”. The minister is expected to deliver the statement in both Houses of Parliament.

Statement comes amid escalating West Asia conflict

The briefing comes as tensions in West Asia have escalated amid the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict, which has triggered concerns about energy supply disruptions and the safety of Indian nationals living across Gulf countries.

The issue has also acquired economic significance after maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint through which nearly a quarter of global oil supplies pass, faced disruptions during the conflict.

Opposition parties have indicated they plan to question the government on the broader geopolitical and economic implications of the conflict, including the United States administration’s waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil for 30 days.

Opposition questions format of ministerial statement

Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh criticised the format of the ministerial statement, arguing that it does not allow members to seek clarifications.

“It has been let known that the External Affairs Minister will make a statement in both Houses of Parliament on the situation in West Asia. The problems with such Ministerial statements are that (i) they convey little of value over and above that is already known; and more importantly (ii) MPs are not given an opportunity to seek clarifications or ask questions,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

Opposition leaders have indicated they plan to raise questions related to India’s foreign policy stance and the country’s ties with the United States during the session.

NDA and opposition prepare for confrontation

The government and the opposition are also preparing to confront each other over a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

The NDA is expected to counter opposition criticism by raising issues related to protocol during President Droupadi Murmu’s recent visit to West Bengal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the incident and described it as “shameful and unprecedented”.

“Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people of India. The TMC government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President,” Modi said.

Foreign policy debate likely in Parliament

Opposition leaders have also questioned the government’s foreign policy approach amid the developments in West Asia.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said India’s foreign policy should reflect the collective will of the people.

“India’s foreign policy emerges from the collective will of our people. It should be rooted in our history, our geography, and our spiritual ethos based on Satya and Ahimsa. What we are witnessing today is not policy. It is the result of the exploitation of a compromised individual,” Gandhi said in a post on X last week.

Budget session runs until April 2

The second half of the budget session is scheduled to continue until April 2.

During this period, the government is required to pass the Finance Bill and complete parliamentary approval for demands for grants for various ministries.

The government has not yet announced the full legislative agenda for the remaining part of the session.

The session is also expected to take place against the backdrop of upcoming assembly elections in four states and one Union territory, including West Bengal, which is scheduled to vote in April–May.