India to get fuel at far cheaper rate than anyone else: FM

Stressing that national interest is the top agenda of the Modi government, which will continue to take steps in the interest of the country, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a post-budget interaction with the Confederation of Indian Industry that the country continues to import fuel at a far cheaper rate despite the energy prices going through the roof due to Ukraine crisis. "National interest was put on the top of the agenda, otherwise you would not have had fuel coming. Energy costs were going up. But because of the leadership's strength and the way in which the honourable prime minister has engaged with the leaders globally, we are not able to get fuel far cheaper than anyone else. Hasn't that helped us?" Sitharaman said adding that globally, India has been able to take a position and stand by it in the interest of the country. Sitharaman said that in this context the role of the industry is no less.

"I would like you to keep in touch with your global counterparts, feel the pulse of what is happening and give us the feedback so that all of us can work together in this critical period," Sitharaman said.