Rajnath Singh Reviews Energy Security as PM Modi Calls for Fuel Conservation

Amid rising tensions in West Asia and growing concerns over global energy disruptions, the Centre on Monday reviewed India's preparedness to handle any impact on fuel supplies and essential commodities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the fifth meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) to assess risks linked to international oil supply chains and ensure that domestic availability remains unaffected.

The high-level meeting came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption and support efforts to conserve the country's foreign exchange reserves during the ongoing global uncertainty.

Following the meeting, Rajnath Singh said the government was closely monitoring the evolving situation and taking proactive steps to avoid any disruption in supplies. He appealed to citizens not to panic, assuring that adequate measures were being implemented to maintain smooth availability of essential commodities across the country.

In a post on X, the Defence Minister stated that the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership was working continuously to safeguard the nation's energy security. He also described the Prime Minister's appeal for public participation in fuel conservation as an important step toward strengthening self-reliance during a difficult international situation.

Addressing a public gathering in Hyderabad earlier, PM Modi highlighted the pressure on global supply chains and warned that countries dependent on imports could face increasing challenges if geopolitical tensions continue. Stressing that India lacks large domestic oil reserves, he urged people to use petrol and diesel carefully and responsibly.

The Prime Minister suggested adopting practical measures such as carpooling, using metro rail services, and encouraging the use of electric vehicles to reduce fuel consumption. He also advised businesses to prefer railway transportation for courier services wherever feasible.

Drawing parallels with the Covid-19 period, PM Modi called for the revival of work-from-home practices, online meetings, and video conferencing to reduce unnecessary travel and fuel usage. He further appealed to citizens to avoid non-essential purchases of gold for the next year as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country's economic resilience.