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India PM Modi Urges Revival of Remote Work, Other Fuel Conservation Measures as Energy Prices Soar

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged several measures to address the rising global energy prices resulting from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking from the South Indian city of Hyderabad, Modi urged businesses and workers to revive practices during COVID-19 pandemic such as remote work and virtual meetings to help curb fuel consumption from daily commuting.

"In the current situation, we must place great emphasis on saving foreign exchange," he said at an event on Sunday, as the country continues to rely on imports to meet 40% of domestic energy consumption. India is also the third-largest energy importer, after China and the US.

Modi also urged Indians to use more public transportation and ridesharing, instead of private vehicles, to further conserve fuel consumption.

Besides this, he also urged the nation's farmers to cut their fertilizer use by as much as half, which is another area where the country relies heavily on imports.

Meanwhile, despite the surge in global energy prices over the past two months, India is one of the few countries that have yet to raise prices for diesel and gasoline at fuel stations.

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