Last Updated on April 2, 2026 9:58 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
Duty Relief, Export Support Announced as India Monitors West Asia Situation Closely
ANDALIB AKHTER / New Delhi
The Government of India has announced a series of measures to address challenges arising from the ongoing crisis in West Asia, while emphasising the safety and welfare of Indian nationals in the region.
Briefing the media, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem Mahajan, said the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation across the Gulf and West Asia. He noted that Indian missions and posts in the region are actively coordinating with local authorities to resolve issues related to visas, consular services and transit support, while extending all necessary assistance to Indian nationals.
Mahajan said special attention is being given to Indian students in the affected areas. Efforts are underway to ensure their academic schedules remain uninterrupted through coordination with schools, education boards and the National Testing Agency, particularly regarding examinations such as JEE and NEET.
As part of economic relief measures, the government has announced full customs duty exemption on certain critical petrochemical products until June 30. Speaking at the inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Member of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Sanjay Mangal, said the step is a temporary and targeted intervention aimed at ensuring steady availability of key petrochemical inputs for domestic industries.
He explained that the exemption will help sectors heavily dependent on petrochemicals and intermediate products, including plastics, textiles and pharmaceuticals, while also easing cost pressures on consumers of finished goods.
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Lav Agarwal, announced further relief for exporters affected by the geopolitical disruptions. Exporters holding Advance Authorisations or Export Promotion Capital Goods authorisations have been granted an additional three-month extension until August 31 to fulfil their export commitments. Agarwal said no licences will lapse and no penalties will be imposed during this period, easing pressure on exporters.
He also noted that the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) scheme, which had been reduced to 50 percent in February, has now been restored to 100 percent with effect from March 23, helping exporters maintain global competitiveness.
To facilitate agricultural exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has extended the validity of the Registration-cum-Allocation Certificate for basmati rice exports by 45 days at no additional cost to exporters.
Agarwal also highlighted the implementation of the Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) initiative introduced last month. The programme aims to maintain trade continuity, reduce logistical costs and protect supply chains during the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas assured that India’s energy supplies remain stable. Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma said crude oil availability in the country is normal and refineries are currently operating at optimal capacity.
She added that the government has reduced excise duties on petrol and diesel to help maintain stable retail prices, while oil marketing companies are absorbing part of the burden. Adequate crude supplies have been secured for the next 60 days, and no fuel shortages have been reported across retail outlets.
Sharma also confirmed that natural gas supply to domestic consumers remains fully assured.
Providing an update on evacuation efforts, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said approximately 1,200 Indian nationals, including 845 students, have been assisted in leaving Iran through land routes into Armenia and Azerbaijan. Several others have been relocated to safer locations within Iran.
Jaiswal added that the Government of India has expressed its gratitude to the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan for facilitating the safe transit of Indian citizens during the ongoing crisis.
