Rijiju Defends Fuel Price Hike, Says India Saw Smaller Increase Than Major Economies

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday defended the Centre’s decision to increase petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre, arguing that India had experienced only a limited rise in fuel costs compared to several other countries affected by volatility in global oil markets following the West Asia conflict. The minister said the government had taken steps to protect citizens from severe inflationary pressure despite rising crude oil prices internationally.

In a post on X, Rijiju praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as a balanced approach between economic stability and public welfare. He said that while many nations recorded sharp increases in fuel prices, India managed to contain the rise to 3.2% for petrol and 3.4% for diesel. According to the minister, the government’s handling of the situation reflected “governance with responsibility” during a period of global economic uncertainty.

Rijiju stated that Brent crude prices had crossed the $100-per-barrel mark amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, creating instability in international energy markets. He said India’s public sector oil companies absorbed substantial losses for several weeks in an effort to prevent a sudden burden on consumers. The minister added that the government’s measures were aimed at cushioning households and businesses from broader economic stress linked to rising fuel costs.

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The minister also shared comparative figures highlighting fuel price increases in other countries during the same period. According to the data cited by Rijiju, Malaysia recorded an 89.7% increase in petrol prices and a 112.7% rise in diesel prices. In the United States, petrol prices reportedly climbed by 44% and diesel by 48.1%, while China saw increases of 21.7% for petrol and 23.7% for diesel. The comparison was presented to support the government’s argument that India’s fuel price adjustments remained relatively moderate.

Earlier on Friday, the Centre announced revised fuel prices across the country. In New Delhi, petrol prices increased from Rs 94.77 to Rs 97.77 per litre, while diesel prices rose from Rs 87.67 to Rs 90.67 per litre. The revision comes amid mounting pressure on oil-importing nations as global crude prices continue to fluctuate in response to geopolitical developments in West Asia.

Fuel prices remain a politically sensitive issue in India, where increases in transportation and energy costs often have a direct impact on inflation and household expenses. The latest hike is expected to influence the cost of goods and services in the coming weeks, even as the government maintains that its interventions have helped prevent steeper increases that could have further strained the economy.

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