Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairs high-level West Asia review as PM Modi calls for ‘economic self-defence’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday chaired a meeting of the Informal Empowered Group of Ministers (IGoM) constituted to monitor the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia, as the government stepped up efforts to assess the fallout of the escalating regional conflict on India’s economy, energy security and supply chains.

The high-level review came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an unusually direct public appeal for what he described as a nationwide movement of “economic resilience”, urging Indians to conserve fuel, avoid unnecessary imports and reduce foreign exchange outflows amid mounting global uncertainty.

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According to officials, Monday’s meeting reviewed the latest developments in West Asia and discussed related strategic and economic concerns as fears of prolonged disruptions around key energy routes continue to drive volatility in oil prices and global trade flows.

Speaking in Hyderabad on Sunday against the backdrop of soaring crude prices and geopolitical tensions, Modi framed the unfolding crisis not just as a government challenge but as a national responsibility requiring collective behavioural change.

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

The Prime Minister’s remarks amounted to a broader call for what he termed “economic self-defence”, with citizens urged to alter consumption patterns in ways that could help cushion India from external shocks.

With fuel prices emerging as a key concern, Modi encouraged people to reduce petrol and diesel consumption by increasingly using metros and public transport, opting for car-pooling where possible and accelerating the shift towards electric vehicles.

He also advocated greater use of railways for freight transportation to lower fuel dependence and logistics costs.

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Drawing from lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi called for a renewed emphasis on virtual meetings and digital work practices to help cut energy consumption and reduce operational costs.

In one of the strongest economic appeals of his tenure, the Prime Minister urged citizens to become “guardians of the Rupee” by minimising avoidable foreign exchange outflows during a period of global instability.

He appealed to people to avoid unnecessary overseas travel, foreign vacations and destination weddings abroad, while encouraging domestic tourism and celebrations within India instead.

The Prime Minister also requested citizens to defer non-essential gold purchases for a year, arguing that lower gold imports would ease pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves.

The speech repeatedly stressed economic nationalism and domestic consumption as buffers against global volatility.

Modi encouraged consumers to prioritise Made-in-India products, including daily-use items such as shoes, bags and accessories, while also urging households to reduce edible oil consumption — a move he said would benefit both personal health and the country’s import bill.

Addressing farmers, Modi pitched natural farming as another pillar of economic resilience, calling for a 50% reduction in chemical usage and positioning Indian farmers as “front-line soldiers” in the push for sustainability and self-reliance.

The Prime Minister concluded by saying that while global conditions may remain turbulent, India’s economic strength would ultimately depend on the “micro-efforts” of its 1.4 billion citizens — from decisions made at fuel stations and shopping counters to choices taken at the dinner table.