Inflation Fears Rise As PM Modi Appeals For Cuts In Travel And Consumption
PM Modi urges lifestyle changes to reduce oil import burden amid global energy shock.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made a series of economic appeals urging citizens to adopt austerity measures amid rising global energy uncertainty triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East. The remarks came during an event in Secunderabad, where he also inaugurated development projects worth around ₹9,400 crore.
The Prime Minister’s appeal was made against the backdrop of a sharp spike in global crude oil prices, which reportedly crossed $105 per barrel following geopolitical developments involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The situation has disrupted global supply chains and increased pressure on energy-importing countries like India, which remains heavily dependent on imported crude oil to meet domestic demand.
Modi urged citizens to consciously reduce non-essential expenditure and adopt lifestyle changes that could help conserve foreign exchange and energy resources. Among his key suggestions were increased use of public transport such as metro systems, reduced dependence on private fuel-based vehicles, and greater adoption of work-from-home practices where feasible, drawing parallels to arrangements widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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He also called for a reduction in discretionary consumption, including postponing foreign travel and limiting purchases of imported luxury goods such as gold. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to strengthen domestic production and encourage the use of indigenous products under the “Swadeshi” approach, framing it as part of a broader push toward economic self-reliance.
In addition, he highlighted changes in consumption patterns in agriculture and daily life, including reduced use of edible oil and chemical fertilisers, while encouraging a shift toward natural farming practices. According to him, these steps would help reduce import dependency and ease pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves at a time of global volatility.
The appeals have drawn comparisons to restrictions seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, when work-from-home, reduced travel, and behavioural changes were widely adopted. This time, however, the government has linked the measures to economic resilience rather than public health, as India navigates inflationary risks driven by global energy price fluctuations and geopolitical instability.
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