Rajnath Singh Chairs Informal Group Meeting on Evolving West Asia Situation

The meeting was held to review the evolving situation in the region and discuss related matters.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Hyderabad, called on every Indian citizen to join a collective movement for economic resilience amid rising global tensions.

Speaking against the backdrop of global supply chain disruptions and rising costs fueled by international conflicts, the Prime Minister framed the current crisis not just as a government challenge, but as a test of national character.

“Patriotism is not only about the willingness to sacrifice one's life on the border,” PM Modi said. “In these times, it is about living responsibly and fulfilling our duties to the nation in our daily lives.”

The Prime Minister’s speech served as a roadmap for “economic self-defence,” urging citizens to change their consumption habits to protect the nation’s financial health.

To combat volatility in fuel prices, PM Modi urged people to reduce petrol and diesel consumption by using metro and public transport wherever available, opting for car-pooling when private vehicles are necessary, preferring railway transport for goods movement, and increasing the use of electric vehicles.

Reflecting on efficiencies gained during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister also called for greater use of virtual infrastructure to reduce the national carbon footprint and energy bill.

In one of his strongest appeals, PM Modi urged citizens to act as “guardians of the Rupee” by being mindful of foreign exchange outflows.

He appealed to people to conserve foreign exchange reserves by avoiding unnecessary foreign travel, overseas vacations, and destination weddings abroad, while encouraging domestic tourism and celebrations within India.

The Prime Minister also requested citizens to avoid non-essential gold purchases for one year to reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

PM Modi further encouraged citizens to prioritise Made-in-India and locally manufactured products, including daily-use items such as shoes, bags, and accessories.

He also asked families to reduce edible oil consumption, saying it would benefit both the country’s economy and personal health.

Addressing the farming community, the Prime Minister advocated a shift towards natural farming. He urged farmers to reduce chemical usage by 50 per cent, positioning them as key contributors to environmental sustainability and economic independence.

Concluding his address, PM Modi said that despite global uncertainties, India’s strength lies in the “micro-efforts” of its 1.4 billion people.

He stressed that the country’s future growth would depend not only on government policies, but also on the choices citizens make in their daily lives — from fuel consumption and shopping habits to travel and food practices.