The West Asia conflicts are showing no signs of easing, with the ongoing Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz adding to global economic uncertainty. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made seven key appeals to citizens under the theme “Nation First, Duty Above Comfort,” urging more responsible and self-reliant habits.
Speaking at a BJP rally in Hyderabad, he had also called for fuel conservation, reduced import dependence, and greater use of domestic alternatives through everyday behavioural changes.
1. Prioritise work from home wherever possible: The Prime Minister urged businesses to implement work-from-home arrangements whenever possible to help cut daily fuel use and ease traffic congestion.
2. Avoid buying gold for one year: India imports over 90 per cent of its gold needs, purchasing around 700 to 800 tonnes each year, which makes gold imports a major strain on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Hence, PM Modi has requested citizens to temporarily cut back on buying gold.
3. Reduce petrol and diesel consumption: India imports nearly 80 per cent of its crude oil requirement, much of it from the Gulf region.He urged citizens to rely on public transportation, metro rail services, carpooling, and electric vehicles in order to curb fuel consumption.
4. Cut down the use of cooking oil: He also urged people to reduce unnecessary cooking oil consumption, as edible oil imports impact the import bill.
5. Move towards natural farming: Adopting natural farming practices will help cut import expenses and enhance sustainability. Prime Minister Modi also urged farmers to lessen their reliance on chemical fertilizers.
6. Adopt Swadeshi products: Citizens were also requested to buy Indian-made goods to reduce foreign import dependence & strengthen domestic manufacturing.
7. Avoid foreign travel for one year: The Prime Minister called on citizens to refrain from non-essential international travel for the next year in order to conserve vital foreign exchange.
The appeals come at a time when escalating tensions in West Asia are disrupting global supply chains and energy markets. The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, has driven up crude oil prices and increased pressure on import-dependent economies like India.
Key impacts include:
Rising oil prices: Crude has surged, crossing $120 per barrel at peak levels, up from around $105.
Weaker currency: The Indian rupee has reportedly fallen to the 95-mark against the US dollar.
Import pressure: Higher oil prices and currency depreciation are making imports more expensive.
Strain on reserves: India’s foreign exchange reserves are facing added pressure due to rising import costs.
With global uncertainty persisting and US President Donald Trump having dismissed Iran’s reply to a peace initiative, the strain on India’s economy is unlikely to ease in the near term. The Prime Minister framed these appeals as a collective duty, emphasising that individual choices can play a meaningful role in strengthening India’s economic resilience.
