11 May,2026 11:09 AM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday urged citizens to follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for responsible consumption of fuel and essential resources amid rising global tensions and disruptions in energy supplies caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, reported ANI.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis said the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran has significantly affected global oil and gas markets, leading to shortages and rising prices in several neighbouring countries, reported ANI.
He said that although India has so far managed to maintain stable fuel supplies, irresponsible consumption and wastage could eventually create challenges for the country as well.
Referring to the impact of the international conflict, Fadnavis said several countries are already facing fuel scarcity and higher energy costs due to disruptions in global supply chains, reported ANI.
"Due to the war between America, Israel and Iran, there is a shortage of oil and gas in the world. Neighbouring countries are facing scarcity and prices have increased," Fadnavis said, reported ANI.
He credited the Central government for ensuring that India's fuel supply has not been significantly disrupted despite volatile global conditions.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that our supply is not affected on a large scale. We are getting all the oil and gas, but if we do not understand this difficulty and do not use it properly, we too will have to face scarcity," he added, reported ANI.
The Chief Minister appealed to citizens across the country to act responsibly and adopt mindful consumption habits in line with the Prime Minister's message.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a gathering in Secunderabad, stressed the importance of reducing India's dependence on imports and promoting sustainable consumption practices to strengthen economic resilience, reported ANI.
The Prime Minister highlighted that India spends a large amount of foreign exchange on importing edible oils and fuel, and said reducing unnecessary consumption would benefit both the economy and public health.
"The same is true for edible oil. We have to spend foreign currency on its import. If every household reduces the use of edible oil, it is a huge contribution to patriotism," PM Modi said.
He described responsible consumption and conservation as a modern form of patriotism that could help protect the country's economic interests during periods of global instability, reported ANI.
The Prime Minister also urged farmers to gradually reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and adopt natural farming methods to reduce import dependence and protect the environment, reported ANI.
In addition, PM Modi encouraged citizens to use public transport, adopt car-pooling practices and increase the use of railway transportation for goods movement to reduce fuel consumption.
He also emphasised the importance of promoting electric vehicles as part of India's long-term strategy to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
According to PM Modi, changing daily consumption habits and adopting sustainable practices can play a significant role in strengthening India's economic stability and energy security, reported ANI.
The remarks from both PM Modi and Fadnavis come amid growing global concerns over rising energy prices and supply disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia.
The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has already impacted international shipping routes and fuel markets, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Experts have warned that prolonged instability in the region could further increase crude oil prices and affect global trade and energy supply chains.
Against this backdrop, the Indian government has been emphasising energy conservation, domestic production and sustainable alternatives to minimise the impact of global volatility on the country's economy.
(With inputs from ANI)
