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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “significantly” reduced the size of his motorcade to save fuel, Reuters reported, citing a government source, days after urging citizens to cut spending amid rising fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. In a public address on Sunday, the prime minister urged Indians to take a series of steps, including saving fuel, working from home, and avoiding non-essential travel.
The main reason for Modi’s call for people to take those steps is that skyrocketing global energy prices are putting pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. He called for special emphasis on saving foreign exchange in the current situation.
Prime Minister Modi, an important figure for India, receives the highest level of personal security. However, prior to the reduction in security, his motorcade reportedly comprised approximately a dozen vehicles.
The number of vehicles in the prime minister’s motorcade was reduced while maintaining necessary security measures, the source told Reuters. The source did not specify the actual size of the motorcade.
The source, who did not wish to be named, also said that the Prime Minister has asked to include electric vehicles in his motorcade wherever possible, but no new vehicles will be purchased.
India is heavily dependent on the Strait of Hormuz, which is the main transit point for crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and cooking gas. Hormuz has been closed due to the US-Israeli war with Iran, which has affected the global economy.
High oil prices threaten to widen the current account deficit of the world’s most populous country, hamper growth, and fuel inflation, at a time when the United States and Iran are struggling to reach a deal to end the conflict after more than a month of a fragile ceasefire.
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