To the government’s credit, it has been gradually trying to reduce India’s oil import dependence. The U.S. is now encouraging India to import Russian oil again to steady global markets. Government officials have made anonymous statements saying that fuel prices will not be hiked in response to higher oil prices. After all, fuel prices were not cut over the last two and a half years even when oil prices were comfortably low. The government’s crisis communication needs more work.

Source: The Hindu March 11, 2026 20:47 UTC