PM Modi urges citizens to cut fuel use, avoid foreign travel

Amid elevated global crude oil prices and an energy crisis triggered by the U.S.-Iran war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (May 10, 2026) called for a collective participation to help the country withstand global economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures.

He urged citizens to make, what he described as, “nationally responsible” lifestyle choices and promote the use of local products, asking “how can the nation progress if we depend on imports for everything”.

Mr. Modi appealed to people to avoid non-essential purchase of gold for one year to reduce pressure on foreign exchange outflows and advised against going on foreign tours. He said conserving foreign exchange reserves is an act of patriotism and urged people to avoid overseas vacations and destination weddings abroad. He pitched for domestic tourism and celebrations within the country.

He suggested reviving some of the practices adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including work-from-home arrangements, online conferences and virtual meetings.

In a 30-minute address at a public meeting on Parade Grounds in Hyderabad, the Prime Minister spoke about strengthening India’s economic resilience and promoting responsible living. He made a call to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, promote use of metro rail and public transport, car-pooling, and railway transport for freight movement, besides wider adoption of electric vehicles.

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Mr. Modi said patriotism was not limited to sacrificing one’s life for the country but also meant discharging responsibilities towards the nation during difficult times. Stressing that safeguarding national interests was not the responsibility of any one government or political party, he said every citizen, political party and organisation should work together to help the country overcome global challenges. He sought the support of the media in this regard.

Referring to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war on the global economy, the Prime Minister said supply chains had been severely disrupted, and prices of food, fuel and fertilizers had risen internationally. Despite these pressures, he said, the Centre was shielding farmers from the burden of rising fertilizer prices through subsidies. He said that fertilizer bags costing nearly ₹3,000 in the international market were being supplied to Indian farmers for less than ₹300.

Calling for a stronger implementation of the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, the Prime Minister appealed to the people to prioritise locally manufactured (Swadeshi) products, including daily-use items such as shoes, bags and accessories. He asked families to cut down consumption of edible oil, stating that it would benefit both the country’s economy and public health.

Expressing concern over excessive use of chemical fertilizers, the Prime Minister said the practice was damaging soil health and increasing import dependence. He urged farmers to reduce chemical fertilizer usage by up to 50% and gradually shift towards natural farming practices. He encouraged the use of solar-powered irrigation pumps instead of diesel-run sets for agriculture.

“There is a situation where we are even forced to import cooking oil. We must achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils. The use of fertilizers should be reduced to protect soil fertility. We need to examine the products we use in our homes. Most of our daily-use items come from foreign countries. How can the nation progress if we depend on imports for everything? Everyone should pledge to use more indigenous products in their daily lives. Swadeshi is not merely a BJP slogan, it is a national policy,” Mr. Modi said.

Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, State BJP chief N. Ramachandra Rao and other senior leaders attended the rally.