Nagpur: The ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel is no longer just a geopolitical flashpoint, its economic shockwaves are now disrupting businesses across the globe, including those linked to the family of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Speaking at a programme in Nagpur, Gadkari revealed how the escalating war and the resulting disruption in global shipping routes and supply chains have caused massive financial losses to businesses run by his family members.
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According to Gadkari, nearly 400 containers of bananas connected to his son’s export business were stranded mid-transit due to disruptions in maritime transport. The delay proved disastrous, as the perishable cargo reportedly rotted before reaching international markets. At the same time, around 200 containers of apples imported from Iran also failed to arrive on time and were spoiled during transit.
The Union Minister said the war has severely impacted international trade, with rising fuel prices and logistical uncertainty creating chaos in import-export operations worldwide.
The crisis has also affected the business operated by Gadkari’s daughter-in-law, who is involved in detergent manufacturing. Gadkari said around 100 containers of detergent products were being exported to the United States every month. However, after the conflict intensified, container movement came to a standstill, resulting in losses running into crores of rupees.
Despite the setbacks, Gadkari said efforts were being made to sustain operations by focusing on local markets and alternative business channels. He also expressed frustration over insurance companies allegedly delaying or avoiding settlement of claims despite the scale of the losses suffered due to circumstances beyond business control.
The minister’s remarks offer a stark example of how international conflicts are now directly impacting Indian businesses, supply chains, and exporters. What appears as a distant war on television screens is, in reality, inflicting severe economic pain on industries, traders, and entrepreneurs thousands of kilometres away.
