From the Opinions Desk

Iranian media has denied that there have been any communications between Tehran and Washington DC about stopping the war or making the passage through the Strait of Hormuz normal. It reiterates that the Strait is open for friends, but not for enemies. So far, out of 22 ships bearing Indian flag stalled before the Strait of Homuz, 2 have reached the Indian shores and 2 more are reported by the Indian media to have crossed the Strait.

More concerning developments have been reported from the region. While the US has threatened to destroy the power bases of Iran, Tehran has retaliated the threat by saying that if its power bases were destroyed, then it would destroy the desalinating water plants across West Asia. The countries of West Asia get mostly salinated water, which has to be treated in plants to get desalinated water. These plants are critical for the survival of the region and for the normal functioning of life there.

Further, there is fear that the war may go nuclear if escalated. Hence, restraint is needed for the countries involved.

Meanwhile, Oman, Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt have attempted to broker peace negotiations with Iran. However, Iranian media has said that the war was started by the US-Israel, not by Iran, hence these countries should talk to the US-Israel.

At the same time, LPG crisis in India has remained, the rupee has fallen further and there is inflation hovering around. However, the Indian PM has briefed the Parliament and said that India has enough reserves of oil and efforts are being made to get more, so the people need not panic.

The Indian IT industry leaders have commented about the impact of the West Asian situation on the Indian IT market and on the exporters of IT products to West Asia.

Devesh Rastogi, President, FAIITA said, “The prices of plastic products and other components have risen. We are negotiating with the goernment to keep the prices stable. We are optimistic about the outcome.”

Puneet Singhal, President, CMDA Delhi said, “Some IT businesses have found opportunity in crisis and have raised the prices of IT hardware. I advise the IT industry businesses to make the opportunity positive and not negative on the industry.”

Manoj Khanna, Gen Sec, CMDA Delhi said, “The falling rupee may have a short term benefit on the exports which are linked to the US Dollar. However, in the long term this would lead to high inflation. Hence, efforts should be made to keep the prices stable.”

Basant Mehta, Bluebells Computers, Mumbai said, “The domestic IT market may see constraints becaus of the conflict in West Asia. This situation needs to be restrained.”

Rajiv Khanna, Founder, JCDA, Jalandhar said, “Some IT businesses are raising their prices because of the war. This means that the end users and the dealers and other channel partners in the supply chain are going to get the IT hardware at higher prices.”

The detailed comments of these leaders can be seen in this YouTube video – Click the link to watch.