Finance Minister Urges Focus on Fuel, Fertiliser and Forex as West Asia Crisis Rages
मुख्य बातें
- •Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called for urgent focus on fuel, fertiliser, and foreign exchange (forex) amid the West Asia crisis during the 37th SIDBI Foundation Day event in Mumbai on May 25, 2026.
- •She highlighted rising crude oil prices, "unimaginable" fertiliser costs, and high gold prices as key external challenges affecting India’s economy.
- •Sitharaman dismissed pessimistic narratives, asserting that India’s domestic economy remains resilient and that fearmongering must be avoided.
- •The Finance Minister noted that the reduction in diesel and petrol excise duties will lead to a revenue loss of ₹1 lakh crore but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to calibrated policy responses.
- •She raised concerns over delayed payments worth ₹8.1 lakh crore to MSMEs, urging PSUs to adhere to the 45-day payment window to support their working capital and growth.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday, May 25, 2026, emphasised the urgent need to prioritise three critical areas—fuel, fertiliser, and foreign exchange (forex)—amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. Speaking at the 37th Foundation Day event of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in Mumbai, she underscored India’s economic resilience despite external pressures and cautioned against fearmongering by critics.
