Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to adopt a range of austerity measures as global oil prices soar following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Speaking at a public event in Hyderabad, Modi asked citizens to return to work‑from‑home arrangements, limit gold purchases and curb overseas travel to help preserve foreign exchange reserves. He highlighted that India, which imports about 90% of its oil, has seen its crude import bill jump by billions of dollars since the war disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

The prime minister also appealed for greater use of public transport, car‑pooling and a reduction in fertilizer usage by farmers, describing responsible daily habits as a form of patriotism. Analysts noted that Modi’s remarks were among the most forceful calls for energy conservation since the pandemic, and they coincided with a sharp drop in the benchmark Sensex, which fell more than 1,000 points in early trading on fears of prolonged economic strain.

While India has so far avoided raising pump prices for petrol and diesel, the sustained supply shock is beginning to pressure the broader economy, affecting sectors such as glass, plastics and tile manufacturing and raising concerns over fertilizer shortages that could impact farm output and food prices. The rupee has also hit record lows, further inflating the cost of imports and stoking inflationary pressures. Opposition leaders have criticised the prime minister’s appeal, accusing the government of shifting responsibility onto citizens.

The situation mirrors wider regional responses to the oil crisis, with several Asian and Pacific nations introducing measures ranging from fuel rationing to reduced workweeks to mitigate the impact of soaring energy costs.