The BJP on Friday (May 15, 2026) defended the hike in fuel prices, claiming that India managed to shield citizens from the global oil shock for more than two months while implementing only a "limited and calibrated" increase, even as several countries witnessed a steep price rise.
The remarks came after petrol and diesel prices were hiked by ₹3 per litre each, the first increase in more than four years, amid mounting losses suffered by oil marketing companies due to surging global crude oil prices.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently suggested measures to reduce fuel consumption, including the use of metro services, carpooling, electric vehicles, and work-from-home arrangements, to help conserve foreign exchange reserves amid the West Asia crisis.
Petrol and diesel prices hike LIVE updates
In a post on X, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said India recorded one of the lowest increases among major economies, with petrol prices rising by 3.2% and diesel by 3.4%.
