FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI Invisible shock Page 6 Conflict likely to impact semiconductor manufacturing, fertilisers, construction NORTH-EAST Assam: Why BJP’s return looks inevitable Page 10 Page 11 W. Asia conflict: PM takes stock, group of ministers to be set up STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 22 March P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday evening chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to review the situation and ongoing and proposed mitigating measures in the context of the ongoing West Asia conflict. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Prime Minister directed that a group of ministers and secretaries be created to work dedicatedly in a whole-ofgovernment approach in order to insulate India’s economy from the deepening turbulence, with particular attention to energy supplies and supply chain disruptions. He also instructed sectoral groups to work in consultation with all stakeholders. He also asked for proper coordination with state governments to ensure that no black-marketing and hoarding of important commodities takes place. In such a situation, all efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict, he said. PM Modi instructed that all arms of government should work together to ensure least inconvenience to citizens. In the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary gave a detailed presentation on the global situation and mitigating measures taken so far and being planned by various ministries and departments. The expected impact and measures taken to address it across sectors like agriculture, fertilisers, food security, petroleum, power, MSMEs, exporters, shipping, trade, finance, supply chains and all affected sectors were discussed. The overall macro-economic scenario in the country and further measures to be taken were also discussed. The ongoing conflict in West Monday, 23 March 2026 SPORTS BUSINESS EDITORIAL | Asia will have significant short, medium and long-term impact on the global economy and its effect on India were assessed and counter-measures, both immediate and long-term, were discussed. The meeting made a detailed assessment of availability of critical needs of the common man, including food, energy and fuel security. Short term, medium term and long term measures to ensure continued availability of essential needs were discussed in detail. The impact on farmers and their requirement for fertiliser for the Kharif season was assessed. It was felt that the measures taken in the last few years to maintain adequate stocks of fertilisers will ensure timely availability and food security. Alternate sources of fertilisers were also discussed to ensure continued availability. It was also determined that adequate supply of coal stocks at all power plants will ensure no shortage of electricity in India. Several measures were discussed to diversify sources of imports required by chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and other industrial sectors. Several measures proposed by different ministries will be prepared and implemented in the coming days after consultation with all stakeholders. • Citizens encouraged to use PNG, induction cooktops: Page 5 Cricket Australia unveils taxing 2026-27 schedule, India tour slotted for Jan 2027 Page 12 Trump threatens to strike Iran’s power infra if Hormuz not opened UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Washington/Tehran, 22 March US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a warning to Iran, threatening to strike its power infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours, while Tehran has countered with a vow to target all American IT, desalination, energy and other infrastructure facilities in the region, calling them ‘all fair game’ should the USA try and make good on its threats. “If Iran doesn’t fully open, without threat, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours… the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting People survey a site that was struck by an Iranian missile in Dimona, southern Israel, on Sunday. AGENCIES with the biggest one first,” Mr Trump wrote earlier on his Truth Social platform. The comments came a day after he said he was considering “winding down” military operations against Iran. Iran has effectively shut the strait, economically paralysing it, adversely affecting both shipping and global energy security since the war began three weeks ago. About 20 per cent of the world’s total supply of crude passes through the waterway, with the disruptions causing a massive surge in energy prices worldwide. Iranian officials responded to Mr Trump’s threat with a counter-warning, cautioning that any further attacks on its energy infrastructure would be met with regional retaliation. A statement from Khatam al-Anbiya, carried by Fars News Agency, said the US-linked energy, information technology and desalination facilities would become prime targets for attack. An Iranian official also said the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely closed” immediately if the USA follows up on Mr Trump’s threat. • More reports: Page 9