The government has flagged serious concerns over cargo disruptions amid the escalating war in West Asia and has set up an inter-ministerial group to closely monitor the situation, according to exporters who attended a commerce ministry meeting on Monday.
Around 75 exporters and shipping sector representatives participated in the discussion, said S Ramakrishna of the Federation of Freight Forwarders' Association in India.
Officials expressed concern over consignments stuck in transit, particularly perishable goods that are vulnerable to cancellations and delays. The government is working on mitigating the impact on both imports and exports by exploring alternative logistics options through air and sea routes.
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As part of the response mechanism, exporters have been provided dedicated phone numbers and email IDs to flag urgent issues directly to the government.
Sources added that vessels stranded in the Gulf region, including those carrying crude, had been contacted as authorities assess the broader supply-chain impact.
The government has taken note of industry concerns and indicated that another meeting could be convened at short notice depending on how the situation unfolds.
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