NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India’s friendship and diplomacy with other countries helped it tackle the biggest energy crisis of the 21st century, triggered by the war between Iran and the United States in the Middle East.Addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Balotra , the Prime Minister said the number of countries from which India imported fuel and energy rose to more than 40 from just 25–26 before the crisis.“During this period of war, India’s friendships with other countries proved immensely valuable. Before the crisis began, India imported fuel and energy from only about 25–26 countries. But during the crisis, India’s diplomacy truly came into its own. Our strong relations with other nations were of great help in this difficult time,” Prime Minister Modi said.“Even during the war, India began importing fuel from more than 40 countries. India sent a clear message to the world that, for us, the national interest and the welfare of our citizens come above all else. ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (The citizen is supreme) — that is our guiding principle,” he added.He said the country made the “right decision at every level” during the crisis and devised an effective strategy to recover.“The war in West Asia has caused turmoil across the world, leaving every country affected. The conflict has triggered the biggest energy crisis of the 21st century. Major countries are struggling with severe fuel shortages. But the determination and efforts of the new India of the 21st century have prevailed over the biggest energy crisis of this century,” he said.“India has made the right decisions at every level, accurately assessed the crisis in time, devised an effective strategy and made balanced use of India’s resources. And only then has India been able to recover from the crisis,” he added.Without taking names, he also targeted the opposition, accusing it of spreading rumours and fear during the crisis.“While some forces were publicly busy spreading rumours and fear, work was being carried out day and night, and the situation was being managed effectively,” he said.“That hard work, that effort, that patience, every sensitive step taken at the policy and diplomatic levels will one day write history. This is all unprecedented,” PM Modi added.The remarks came as Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the country’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Pachpadra. The refinery is also Rajasthan’s first of its kind.The Prime Minister said work on the refinery had remained virtually at a standstill when the Congress was in power in Rajasthan from 2018 to 2023.