Gulf Crisis: Govt Ready to Use All Policy Tools to Support Exporters, Says Piyush Goyal
Commerce ministry sets up help desk, inter-ministerial group to address shipping disruptions and rising logistics costs
New Delhi: The Centre will deploy all available policy measures to support Indian exporters affected by the ongoing tensions in West Asia, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Goyal said the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation and remains in constant contact with exporters to understand their concerns.
An inter-ministerial group has been formed to review developments and gather feedback from exporters on a daily basis. The government has also established a dedicated help desk to assist businesses facing difficulties due to disruptions in regional trade routes.
Exporters have reported several operational challenges following the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. These include increased freight charges, higher demurrage costs, longer shipping routes and a shortage of containers, all of which have pushed up logistics expenses.
The minister said the commerce ministry is coordinating with the shipping ministry and shipping companies to address the issue of cargo vessels delayed or stranded in the Persian Gulf region.
Despite the disruptions, Goyal emphasised that India will continue to honour its commitments to global buyers. He noted that the country maintained its supply obligations even during the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing its reputation as a dependable trading partner.
Trade figures show the strategic importance of the region for India. In 2025, imports from West Asian economies were valued at around $157 billion, while exports to the region stood at nearly $67 billion.
