Kiren Rijiju Defends Fuel Price Hike Amid Global Increases
Government's Stance on Fuel Prices
On Friday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the central government's decision to raise fuel prices, highlighting that many countries have seen increases in petrol and diesel costs ranging from 20% to nearly 100% following the conflict in West Asia. In contrast, he noted that India's price hike has been relatively modest.
Rijiju praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for maintaining a balance between economic stability and public welfare, stating that the government has acted responsibly to shield citizens from inflationary pressures.
India's Unique Approach
In a post on X, Rijiju emphasized that while the world grapples with rising fuel prices, India has taken a different approach. He pointed out that petrol prices in India have only increased by 3.2%, and diesel by 3.4%, despite Brent crude oil prices surpassing $100 per barrel and global markets facing instability.
He further explained that India's public sector oil companies absorbed significant losses for weeks to protect citizens from inflation and economic strain, showcasing responsible governance that prioritizes the public's needs.
Comparative Fuel Price Increases
Rijiju also shared statistics comparing fuel price hikes in various countries due to the West Asia conflict. For instance, petrol prices surged by 89.7% and diesel by 112.7% in Malaysia, while the United States saw increases of 44% for petrol and 48.1% for diesel. In China, petrol prices rose by 21.7% and diesel by 23.7%.
Recent Price Adjustments
These comments came after the central government announced a nationwide increase of ₹3 per liter in petrol and diesel prices. In New Delhi, petrol prices rose from ₹94.77 to ₹97.77 per liter, while diesel prices increased from ₹87.67 to ₹90.67 per liter. This adjustment was made in response to the significant rise in global crude oil prices due to escalating tensions in West Asia.
As the world battled rising fuel costs after the West Asia conflict, India stood apart.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 15, 2026
While several countries witnessed petrol & diesel hikes ranging from 20% to nearly 100%, India limited the increase to just +3.2% for petrol & +3.4% for diesel.
Even as Brent crude crossed… pic.twitter.com/nbyiBbhhC9