Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo, said, “The ongoing war in the Middle East region has led to volatility in global commodity markets, particularly crude oil, a development that is expected to directly raise manufacturing and transportation costs. It is obvious when crude and other raw material prices escalate due to tensions, small and medium industries suffer. A prolonged disruption could exert upward pressure on global energy prices with implications for input costs and currency stability, including pressure on the Indian Rupee. While Indian exporters have demonstrated resilience in navigating past disruptions, sustained instability in these critical trade corridors would warrant monitoring and calibrated policy support by the government to maintain competitiveness. The geopolitical situation is fluid at present as the exporters fraternity are shattered which remains under a shadow of uncertainty since due to the current tensions, buyers have turned cautious, and trade sentiment has weakened. Government support at this juncture is very crucial.”
