Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: India Closely Monitoring West Asia Situation
Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: The second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session kicked-off today at 11:00 am. Once the Session began, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha about the worsening situation in West Asia and said that the government has been closely watching the developments. He said the government had already released a statement on February 20 expressing serious concern over the rising tensions and had urged all sides to show restraint. He called for crisis to be resolved in West Asia via “dialogue and diplomacy” to reduce tensions. Jaishankar also said the situation is being closely monitored by Narendra Modi, with different ministries working together to respond to the developments and protect India’s interests. Speaking about the larger impact, he said, “This ongoing conflict is of particular concern to India. We are a neighbouring region, and have obvious stakes that West Asia remains stable. There are one crore Indians who live and work in the Gulf nations. In Iran, too, there are a few thousand Indians for study or employment. The region is key to our energy security and includes many important suppliers of oil and gas….Serious supply chain disruptions and a climate of instability are serious issues.” He also said that the conflict has continued to grow and the security situation in the region has worsened. According to him, the fighting has now spread to other countries, causing large-scale damage and affecting daily life and normal activities across the region. Jaishankar also said that all efforts are being made to bring back the Indians who are stuck in West Asia. He also said, “contacts with Iran at the leadership level are obviously difficult at this time; I have spoken to Iranian Foreign Minister.” He further informed that there were many students who disregarded the advsory initially and got stuck in Iran later. The effort to bring them back is on to. A group of 118 Opposition MPs has moved a no-confidence motion against Om Birla , accusing the Lok Sabha Speaker of running the House in a clearly biased way. After the notice was submitted, Birla stepped aside from chairing the proceedings in the Lok Sabha. He is expected to return to the Speaker’s chair only after the issue is settled. Even though the move has added to the political tension, it is unlikely to pass because the ruling National Democratic Alliance has a strong majority in Parliament. Narendra Modi has also come out in support of Birla, saying the Speaker has followed the Constitution and maintained the values of parliamentary democracy. Opposition parties are likely to raise questions about the government’s diplomatic stand on the crisis. They may also ask about the impact of rising oil prices and whether the conflict could disturb global energy supplies. The situation has become more complicated as armed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon have also become involved, adding to the wider regional tension. Apart from foreign policy matters, several domestic political issues are also expected to come up during the session. Opposition parties are planning to question the government about the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists in West Bengal. The BJP, on the other hand, may respond by raising concerns about how protocol was handled during Droupadi Murmu’s recent visit to the state. The second phase of the Budget Session will also focus on examining the Demands for Grants for different ministries for the financial year 2026–27. Lawmakers are also expected to take up the Finance Bill 2026, which includes the tax changes announced in the Union Budget 2026 earlier this year. Check live updates from Parliament proceedings here: Jaishankar has now begun is Lok Sabha address amid loud sloganeering. The chanting of slogans comes amid EAM's statement on Iran war. The Opposition has been demanding a proper debate on the issue and not just a statement from the government. This is why EAM's address was disrupted both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Monday. "We have to hear what he (Jaishankar) has to say. But we want a discussion on this issue. It's a very important issue. The country is deeply affected. Our energy security is at peril. Oil has gone above $100 a barrel this morning. Gas is being completely stopped from coming out of Qatar. Our factories do not have gas coming into India right now from that side. We can get from the East. So we'll try and get some supplies, but we are certainly suffering," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor noted. He also flagged recent price hikes --- including the increasing of LPG gas cylinders by Rs 60 over the weekend. Tharoor also predicted that petrol would soon cost more. Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha that the government held a high-level security meeting after tensions escalated in the Iran conflict. He said the Cabinet Committee on Security met on March 1 under the leadership of Narendra Modi to review the situation. During the meeting, officials discussed the airstrikes carried out in Iran and the retaliatory attacks that later spread to several Gulf countries. According to Jaishankar, the panel also looked into the possible risks for Indians living in the region and expressed concern about their safety and security as the conflict continues to grow. On the situation in West Asia, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar stated that the ongoing conflict is of deep concern to India. He added that the region is in India’s immediate neighbourhood and that New Delhi has vital stakes in ensuring its stability. He pointed out that nearly one crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries, while a few thousand more are present in Iran for studies or employment. He added that West Asia is critical to India’s energy security, being home to many of its key oil and gas suppliers. Serious supply-chain disruptions and an atmosphere of instability, he noted, are major worries for the country. Jaishankar further observed that the conflict has continued to intensify, with the security situation in the region deteriorating sharply. The fighting has now spread to several other countries, causing widespread destruction, while normal life and daily activities have been visibly disrupted across the area. This version keeps the original meaning and tone intact, sounds natural in news style, and flows smoothly without any direct quotes. You can drop it straight into your story. If you need a shorter version, longer version, or headlines based on this Jaishankar statement, just let me know! Jaishankar went on to say that the Government remains comitted to the safety of Indians in Gulf. He added that India lost 2 of its Mariners and one is still missing. He also said that the government wants West Asia to remain stable as it directly impacts the country's energy security. The EAM further informed that the Embassy in Tehran remains fully operational. He added that many students disregarded advisory and remained in Iran. BUt the effort to bring them back is still on. Rajya Sabha erupted in ruckus as soon as EAM Jaishankar began his address on Iran war. He said that dialogue and diplomacy can de-escalate the situation in West Asia and that the PM is closely monitoring the entire situation. The EAM's address was hardly audible as loud sloganeering filled the Parliament. Jaishankar’s statement comes as tensions in the region have escalated following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. Iran later responded with attacks on American military bases across several West Asian countries and Israeli targets. Opposition leaders such as Jairam Ramesh and Manickam Tagore have said the government should allow a full discussion in Parliament on the crisis instead of limiting it to a minister’s statement. Narendra Modi on Monday spoke about the need to focus on the “care economy”, pointing out that India will see a sharp rise in the number of senior citizens in the coming years. According to him, this will increase the demand for trained caregivers both in India and abroad, creating new job opportunities for young people. Speaking at a post-Budget webinar titled Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas – Fulfilling Aspirations of People, the Prime Minister said the health sector could play a major role in generating skill-based employment. He urged experts to come up with new training systems and partnerships so that more young people can be trained as caregivers and healthcare workers. PM Modi also said healthcare access has expanded in rural areas through schemes like Ayushman Bharat and through Arogya Mandirs. At the same time, traditional Indian practices such as yoga and Ayurveda are gaining popularity around the world. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of connecting education with the needs of the economy. He said more attention should be given to emerging areas like artificial intelligence, automation, the digital economy and design-led manufacturing. He also welcomed the growing interest of girls in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Modi said it is important to ensure that young women get equal opportunities in these areas and that India builds a strong research environment where young innovators can work on new ideas. All 'INDIA' block parties are going to back No-Trust motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Oppn INDIA block held a strategy meeting ahead of Parliament's Budget Session on Monday. The INDIA Bloc will also seek a debate on West Asia conflict and the energy crisis. Giriraj Singh, a Union Minister, criticised the Opposition over the move to bring a resolution in the Lok Sabha seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. He said the situation was unfortunate and accused the Opposition, including the Indian National Congress, of acting irresponsibly and creating unnecessary disruption in Parliament. According to Singh, the move shows that some parties are not interested in allowing the House to function smoothly. He added that the day’s proceedings would make it clear whether the Opposition goes ahead with the motion or decides to withdraw it. Singh also said that pushing the motion further would reflect very poorly on them. Congress leader KC Venugopal on Monday submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha asking for an urgent discussion on the fast-changing situation in West Asia and how it could affect India’s energy security. Venugopal said the rising tensions in the region could create serious challenges for India, including risks to energy supplies, national interests and the safety of Indian citizens living there. In his notice, he explained that the developments in West Asia could have a major impact on India’s economy and strategic interests, and therefore Parliament should discuss the issue immediately. He also pointed out that India imports around 55% of its crude oil from countries in the region, with more than half of the country’s total oil supply coming from there. Because of this heavy dependence, any conflict or instability in the area could affect India’s energy security, fuel availability and overall economic stability. He also highlighted that nearly one crore Indians live and work across the Gulf and other parts of West Asia, adding that their safety largely depends on how stable the region remains. The second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session is expected to begin on a tense note, as Opposition parties plan to push ahead with a no-confidence motion against Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The notice for the motion was first submitted during the earlier phase of the session and had the backing of 118 Opposition MPs. At that time, the All India Trinamool Congress had not signed the proposal, but the party has now decided to support the move. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said the ruling side should reflect on why a no-confidence motion has been brought against Om Birla. He argued that since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, the government has not been willing to give the Opposition enough space in Parliament. According to him, the Opposition often faces interruptions in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with claims that the Leader of the Opposition is not allowed to speak freely and microphones are sometimes switched off. Raut also said that once S Jaishankar presents the government’s statement in Parliament on the situation in West Asia, Opposition members will raise questions and seek more details from him. Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge have already arrived at the Parliament for today's Budget Session. Congress Lok Sabha MPs will be meeting at 10.30 am in the Congress Parliamentary Party office. #watch | Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, arrive at the Parliament The second phase of the budget session of Parliament will commence today and will continue till the 2nd of April pic.twitter.com/GFIWWyVSMG Speaking about the proposal to remove Om Birla as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that leaders of different parties in Parliament will soon meet to decide the next steps. He said the floor leaders will hold discussions and then take a call on how to move forward on the issue. Yadav also slammed the BJP government over its handling of foreign policy and rising prices. He said the situation has become difficult for many Indians living abroad, especially those caught in conflict-hit regions. According to him, several of them were unable to celebrate festivals properly because of the tensions. He questioned what steps the Indian government is taking in response and added that more clarity may come after the meeting of floor leaders. According to the List of Business, Congress MPs are expected to move a resolution seeking a no-confidence motion against Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The proposal has been signed by 118 Opposition MPs, who claim the Speaker has been acting in a biased manner, especially after Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was reportedly not given a chance to speak in the House. The motion will be formally introduced only if the House gives permission for it to be taken up. Commenting on the issue, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the motion will move forward if at least 50 MPs support it. He explained that bringing a no-confidence motion is not unusual and has happened before. According to him, such motions are not always meant to remove someone from their position but are also a way for MPs to raise concerns and present their views in Parliament. Jairam Ramesh took to X and criticised S. Jaishankar's upcoming address on the West Asia conflict. He outright slammed this approach and said such ministerial statements usually add little new information beyond what is already known. He also pointed out that during these statements, MPs are not allowed to ask questions or seek clarifications from the government. Ramesh referred to an earlier example from April 8, 2003, when the Lok Sabha held a detailed discussion on the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States. At that time, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister, Parliament even passed a resolution criticising the invasion, which Ramesh said showed how such issues were openly debated earlier. 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… INC's Manish Tewari has submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha asking that the House pause its scheduled work to discuss the worsening conflict in West Asia and how it could affect India’s energy security. In the notice, Tewari has requested that Question Hour, Zero Hour and the rest of the day’s listed business be suspended so that Parliament can focus on the growing tensions in the region and examine the possible risks for India, particularly when it comes to energy supplies. Parliament is resuming its Budget Session today at 11:00 am. All eyes are on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as he is set to address the Parliament on US, Israel war on Iran. Jaishankar will presenting the Indian government's side on the matter. Stay with us for live coverage from the Parliament and keep following this space for latest updates.
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