(Image source from: PTI)
As conflict in the Middle East disrupts global supply chains and unsettles the oil market, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday encouraged people to help the country save petrol, diesel, and foreign currency by using public transport, cutting back on unnecessary trips abroad, and avoiding buying gold that isn’t needed. “Patriotism isn’t just about being ready to die for the country. Right now, it means being responsible and doing our part for the nation every day,” PM Modi stated in Hyderabad. The prime minister called for everyone to work together to help India tackle global economic issues, problems with supply chains, and increasing prices caused by international disputes. PM Modi asked Indian citizens to lower their use of petrol and diesel by taking metros and public transportation whenever they can, sharing rides, and choosing trains for transporting goods.
He also pushed for greater use of electric cars. He urged for the return of efficient practices from the COVID era, like working from home, video conferences, and online meetings, for the good of the country. Modi asked everyone to skip vacations abroad and foreign weddings to conserve foreign currency reserves. He requested that people hold off on unnecessary gold purchases for a year. Additionally, he advised families to cut down on cooking oil consumption, noting that this would help both the economy and personal health. He encouraged citizens to support locally made products, including everyday items like shoes, bags, and accessories.
The prime minister urged farmers to reduce their use of chemical fertilizers by half and to use solar-powered pumps for irrigation instead of diesel ones. He also suggested that people consider exploring tourism within their own country.
The Strait of Hormuz, crucial for exporting oil from the Middle East, has been blocked for more than two months due to a fierce conflict between US-Israel forces and Iran. This blockage has caused oil prices to rise. As a result of the oil crisis, the costs of many other imports are also going up, which is shrinking the nation’s foreign reserves. Iran announced it would start charging a toll for ships that pass through the Strait. The US stated it will intercept any ships paying this toll to Iran. According to the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO), about 1,500 ships and their crews are stuck in the Gulf because of the Iranian blockade. Several countries, including Britain and France, are looking to form an international group to secure the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran warned Britain and France on Sunday that its military would respond "decisively and immediately" to any warships sent to the Strait, suggesting that the situation is still very tense.
