Use metros wherever metros are available. Use carpooling to go to places, and use the railways if you have to transport goods. All of this will reduce our dependency on petrol and diesel."
PM MODI · HYDERABAD · 10 MAY 2026
Later in the same speech —
"Patriotism is not only about the willingness to sacrifice one's life on the border. In these times, it is about living responsibly and fulfilling our duties to the nation in our daily lives."
— PM MODI, SAME SPEECH, HYDERABAD
THE CONTEXT · MAY – JUNE 2026
88%
of India's crude oil is imported
~50%
of those imports transit the Strait of Hormuz — under conflict since Feb 2026
$174.9 bn
spent on crude & petroleum in FY 2025–26 — 22% of all India's imports
$105+
Brent crude per barrel — highest since 2022
₹7.5/L
petrol & diesel hike in just 11 days in May — one of the sharpest surges in years
₹1,600 cr
lost daily by oil companies; further hike widely expected
6.2%
India's revised GDP forecast for FY27 — down from 6.7% (UBS Securities)