A tanker truck at a gas station in Hyderabad, May 25, 2026 in India, after a rise in fuel prices due to the war in the Middle East (AFP / Noah SEELAM)
India’s state-owned oil companies raised gasoline and diesel prices again on Monday, for the fourth time in ten days, as disruptions in energy supplies due to war in the Middle East increase pressure on the economy.
The prices of automobile fuels have increased by 5% since the outbreak of the conflict at the end of February, which led to a virtual blockade by Iran of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage for hydrocarbons.
India, the world’s third largest oil importer, usually obtains about half of its oil via this sea route.
Fuel prices vary across the country, but overall prices were increased by just over two rupees ($0.02) after the latest adjustment.
In New Delhi, the price of a liter of petrol increased from 99.5 rupees to 102.12 rupees, while that of diesel now stands at 95.20 rupees.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians on May 10 to reduce their consumption of gasoline and diesel, due to supply disruptions due to the war in the Middle East.
Motorcyclists queue at a gas station in Hyderabad, May 25, 2026 in India (AFP / Noah SEELAM)
He added that a reduction in fuel consumption was also necessary to save foreign currencies spent to import hydrocarbons.
India has increased its imports of Russian crude to plug supply gaps from the Middle East, according to ship tracking and import data, following a temporary US waiver of sanctions against Russia.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said this month that oil trading companies had seen their revenues plummet (loss of up to $120 million per day) while ensuring “uninterrupted” energy supplies and imports.
