‘No lockdown’: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri dismisses rumours, assures preparedness amid West Asia tensions

Calling the rumours “completely false,” Puri said the government has taken all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy, and other critical supplies.

“We are fully prepared to handle emerging challenges,” he said in a post on X.

Urging people to refrain from spreading misinformation, Puri termed such rumours “irresponsible and harmful.”

He added, “India has consistently demonstrated resilience in the face of global uncertainties, and we will continue to act in a timely, proactive, and coordinated manner.”

“Rumours of a lockdown in India are completely false. Let me state this clearly—there is no such proposal under consideration by the Government of India,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting with all Chief Ministers on Friday to review states’ preparedness in light of the challenges posed by the conflict triggered by the US-Israel strike on Iran.

The meeting comes as rising tensions in the Middle East have disrupted gas supplies and raised concerns over energy security.

In a significant development, Iran has allowed five “friendly nations,” including India, access to the Strait of Hormuz, which had earlier been closed following the strike.

Earlier this week, Modi urged citizens to remain united and vigilant amid the crisis, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing the Lok Sabha, he stressed the need to stay “careful” and “alert” against rumours during such challenging times.