Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indian citizens on Sunday to reduce petrol and diesel consumption to protect the national economy [1, 2].
The appeal comes as the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran triggers a global energy crisis. Because India relies heavily on fuel imports, rising oil prices pose severe risks to the country's economic stability [1, 3].
In a national address, Modi said citizens should adopt measures to lower fuel demand. He specifically urged employees to work from home and advised the public to avoid unnecessary foreign travel [1, 2]. These steps are intended to limit the amount of fuel the country must import during the current market volatility [1].
The Prime Minister linked the necessity of these cuts to the volatility in West Asia. He said the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has created an unstable environment for energy markets, which directly impacts the cost of living, and industrial production within India [1, 3].
Beyond fuel conservation, the government is looking at broader ways to reduce economic vulnerability. Modi said that citizens should reduce the purchase of gold to further stabilize the economy amid the crisis [3].
This national call for conservation marks a significant shift in the government's approach to managing external shocks. By asking for individual behavioral changes, the administration aims to create a collective buffer against the fluctuating prices of crude oil [1, 2].
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indian citizens... to reduce petrol and diesel consumption”
India's economy is highly sensitive to crude oil price hikes due to its dependence on imports. By promoting remote work and limiting travel, the government is attempting to artificially lower domestic demand to reduce the financial burden of expensive imports and prevent a wider inflationary spiral caused by the US-Iran conflict.
