New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged citizens to support the country in dealing with economic pressures arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia, stressing the need to reduce dependence on imports and conserve national resources.

Addressing a public gathering in Vadodara, Modi said the global situation has remained unstable in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruptions and the escalating crisis in West Asia. He described the conflict as one of the most serious global challenges of the decade.

The Prime Minister said India, like the rest of the world, is being affected by these developments, particularly because of rising import costs and disruptions in international supply chains. He noted that the country spends huge amounts of foreign exchange on imports and called for collective efforts to reduce unnecessary dependence on foreign products.

Modi urged people to adopt locally made goods and strengthen the “Vocal for Local” campaign by supporting domestic businesses and entrepreneurs. He said even small individual efforts could significantly help the country during difficult times.

Highlighting India’s heavy dependence on imported crude oil, Modi pointed out that the region supplying much of the world’s oil is currently facing instability. Until conditions improve, he said citizens should adopt practical measures in their daily lives to reduce fuel consumption and save foreign exchange.

He encouraged greater use of public transport, electric buses and carpooling to lower petrol and diesel consumption. He also stressed the importance of virtual meetings and work-from-home arrangements in both government and private sectors to cut travel-related fuel use.

The Prime Minister further appealed to people to postpone non-essential gold purchases for the time being, noting that gold imports also place a significant burden on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

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Modi assured citizens that the government is continuously working to minimise the impact of global crises on everyday life and expressed confidence that India would successfully overcome the present challenges just as it did during the pandemic.