The COVID-19 pandemic saw repeated mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Parliament on Monday, March 23, as he spoke on the situation in West Asia. PM Modi said the situation is “worrisome”
and will have long-term repercussions on India’s economy, energy security, and citizens in the region. He stressed the need for India to be prepared, alert and united, just as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Six years ago, it was on March 24, that PM Modi had announced a 21-day lockdown in India as the coronavirus pandemic spread through the country rapidly. Years later, the pandemic serves as an example of Modi government’s preparedness and management in times of crisis like the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Covid References In PM Modi’s Speech
While discussing food security and farmer support amid war disruptions, PM Modi said, “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when there were disruptions in supply lines, we ensured that farmers and citizens were protected.” Highlighting how India was not letting the global fertiliser crisis hit Indian farmers, PM Modi cited how the country managed to curb the same shortage during the pandemic. “Even during Covid crisis, world markets had a crisis. Urea prices were Rs 3,000 a quintal. In India, we kept the prices at Rs 300,” PM Modi said.
As he closed his speech, appealing to Indians to be prepared for every crisis, PM Modi said, “Just as India faced the COVID challenge with unity, this crisis must also be faced together. We now have to be ready once again. We have to face each challenge with patience.”
Why Did PM Modi Compare The Current Crisis With Covid?
PM Modi’s speech was a foreign-policy and economic impact address. But he used the COVID example to highlight India’s past experience responding to a massive national crisis, stress readiness, resilience and unity, and suggest the nation should treat the evolving West Asia situation with similar seriousness and coordination.
Signalling Seriousness And Preparedness
PM Modi’s reference to the pandemic was not random. The COVID-19 crisis is widely seen (in India and internationally) as a time when the government mobilised nationwide preparedness, coordination, and resilience. Comparing the current situation to that signals this isn’t a normal geopolitical event. It signals that the situation underscores the need for national readiness and alertness, and implies the government must take a strategic, large-scale approach rather than piecemeal responses.
This was also noted in PM Modi’s speech on Monday as he urged similar preparedness, calm, unity, and proactive planning as was seen during COVID-19 measures.
The Iran War Has Real Domestic Impact
Unlike purely foreign policy issues, the West Asia conflict is already affecting ordinary Indians.
Energy and supply chains: Oil, LPG and other fuels are crucial imports for India that pass through the Strait of Hormuz; disruptions have increased costs and supply concerns.
Millions of Indians in the region: Nearly 10 million Indians live and work in Gulf states impacted by the conflict, just as people were directly affected during the pandemic.
By invoking the COVID experience, PM Modi is framing the crisis as not just geopolitical but one that can touch people’s everyday lives, much like how COVID did.
Asserting Government’s Preparedness
PM Modi’s remark also serves a political and governance purpose. During COVID, the government set up large coordination mechanisms, economic support measures and national messaging. The comparison suggests a robust governance approach to mobilise across ministries and states.
It also signals to Parliament and the public that the situation might require long-term vigilance and unified national response, not just diplomatic statements.
The COVID experience is a recent domestic benchmark that exemplifies how India coped with a major crisis. PM Modi citing the 2020 crisis to the US-Israel-Iran war fallout stresses on the government’s preparedness in a similar situation.
