Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his motorcade to save fuel, a government source said on Wednesday, days after urging citizens to adopt austerity measures amid surging energy prices linked to the Iran war.
Modi urged citizens on Sunday to adopt austerity measures, including limiting foreign travel, using public transport, buying less gold and reducing cooking oil consumption, as rising global energy prices strain India’s foreign exchange reserves.
Following the appeal, critics on social media questioned the large motorcades used by senior Indian politicians, Modi’s domestic flights and his upcoming visit to Europe aboard his official aircraft.
The number of vehicles in Modi’s motorcade was reduced while maintaining essential security arrangements, in line with protocols set by the Special Protection Group, which guards the prime minister, the source said.
Modi receives the highest level of personal security in India, and his motorcade was previously known to include about a dozen vehicles.
Modi reduced the size of his motorcade during visits this week to his home state of Gujarat and the north-eastern state of Assam, the source said. He also requested that electric vehicles be included where possible, without making any new purchases.
The source declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran - for supplies of crude oil, liquefied natural gas and cooking gas.
Higher oil prices threaten to widen the country’s current account deficit, slow economic growth and drive up inflation, while Washington and Tehran continue efforts to reach an agreement to end hostilities more than a month after a fragile ceasefire paused fighting.
India has so far avoided raising petrol and diesel prices, but an increase is widely considered imminent because of the worsening situation in the Middle East.
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