NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured that the Centre would extend all possible assistance to Indian citizens stranded in the Gulf region amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, saying the government was closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to support Indians in West Asia.Addressing a rally in Kochi, Kerala, the prime minister said India would not abandon its citizens abroad during a crisis.“India of today does not leave its citizens stranded elsewhere. We are working to ensure that every possible help is provided to Indians in West Asia,” PM Modi said.His remarks come as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt energy supplies and raise concerns for thousands of Indians working in the region.Using the occasion to push for self-reliance, the prime minister said the ongoing crisis underlined the importance of India becoming energy secure and economically independent.“The Middle East crisis and the resulting energy shortage show how important it is for a nation to be atmanirbhar,” he said.PM Modi also launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the opposition party of making irresponsible statements during a time of international conflict.“Congress is inciting and being irresponsible in war,” he said.Taking a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without naming him directly, the prime minister said the opposition was unaware of the progress made by India’s youth in emerging technologies.“The people of Kerala have seen that the Congress prince is unaware of the remarkable achievements of India’s youth in drone manufacturing. The Congress leader is unaware that numerous companies in India are manufacturing drones. He also doesn’t know that the youth of Kerala have startups to develop drones. Someone who is confined to his narrow thinking will never be able to see the country’s progress,” Modi said.The prime minister also criticised Kerala’s alternating political leadership between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), alleging that the cycle had slowed the state’s development.“Despite Kerala’s immense potential, it hasn’t developed at the pace it should have. The pattern of one LDF government, another UDF government, has caused significant damage to Kerala. These two groups believe their turn will come in five to ten years. Therefore, they don’t work hard for Kerala’s development. This pattern is the reason for Kerala’s corruption,” PM Modi said.