Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to adopt austerity measures to combat the economic fallout of the ongoing global energy crisis and surging crude prices. Modi appealed to citizens to use petrol and diesel sparingly, shift to work from home, and avoid non-essential foreign travel and gold purchases.
The government is grappling with the economic impact of the global energy crisis, with India importing more than 88% of its crude oil and supply chains under strain amid the conflict in West Asia.
Modi also called for lower edible oil consumption and reduced dependence on imported chemical fertilisers, saying that every household reducing edible oil use would be a huge contribution to patriotism.
The prime minister's appeal comes as crude oil prices have surged sharply since the outbreak of the war in West Asia, with average import prices rising from around $70 a barrel to nearly $120.
India's import bill has also sharply increased, with the country importing crude oil worth $121.8 billion in 2025-26, and officials expecting the burden to rise further if the conflict continues and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
