India Fights Back Against Middle East War Impact, Finance Minister Warns Against Spreading Panic

As the Middle East conflict continues, the Indian government is working to mitigate the impact of fuel shortages. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that India cannot afford to spread panic, emphasizing the resilience of the Indian economy. With over 80% of India's crude oil imported, gasoline and diesel prices have been raised four times. Sitharaman noted that the government has reduced excise duties on fuel, sacrificing nearly 1 trillion rupees in revenue to ease the burden on citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also called on the public to practice energy conservation and utilize public transport.