Petroleum minister in talks with Russia, Saudi over fuel prices

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that he was in contact with Russia, Saudi Arabia and various other Gulf Nations to discuss and sort out the fuel price crisis that has been affecting India.

"I am talking to my counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries and Russia...we are working at various levels," the minister was quoted as saying by ANI. Global fuel prices have also been fluctuating as demands Rose post-pandemic with countries opening up supply and travel sectors. Fuel rates are at an all-time high with the latest price hike on October 24 seeing petrol selling at ₹107.59 per litre in the country while diesel is priced at ₹96.32 a litre. In Mumbai, however, diesel has crossed the ₹100-per-litre mark and is currently selling at ₹104.

Minister Singh had earlier asserted that high fuel prices were the reason India was able to fund it's Covid-19 vaccination programme and provide free food for the poor. He claimed that simply reducing levies on petrol was a 'simplistic political narrative' which did not deal with long term issues.