India reinstates pandemic-era remote work and urges farmers to halve fertilizer use as Iran war disrupts oil supply

(SeaPRwire) –   Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reintroduced work-from-home protocols similar to those used during the pandemic, as the conflict in Iran disrupts a critical oil supply route.

During a recent speech, the prime minister advised citizens to arrange for remote work and prioritize digital meetings. He suggested that those who must travel should utilize public transit options like buses and subways or share rides if using personal cars.

Modi further requested that the public minimize foreign travel and delay non-essential spending to preserve foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, he called on the agricultural sector to cut fertilizer consumption by 50%, noting its reliance on oil for production. He framed the conservation of oil and other assets as a national duty amidst the pressures of the Iranian war.

“Patriotism involves more than just a readiness to give one’s life at the front lines. In the current climate, it means acting with responsibility and meeting national obligations in everyday life,” Modi stated on Sunday in Hyderabad, as reported by the BBC.

The push for remote work aims to decrease the use of personal vehicles, which are the primary transport method in the country. In 2025, India saw 25 million new vehicle registrations, with 88% being private cars or motorcycles, according to the research firm IMPRI. This figure exceeds the 16.3 million vehicles registered in the United States during the same period, per Cox Automotive data.

These directives follow disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the war in Iran. The passage, which previously handled 20 million barrels of oil daily, has seen its flow significantly reduced, placing India in a vulnerable position.

India relies on imports for 85% of its fuel needs, with roughly half of its crude oil and 60% of its liquefied natural gas passing through the Strait of Hormuz. By the end of the last fiscal year in March, the nation had spent nearly $175 billion on petroleum imports, accounting for about 22% of its total import costs.

Market response to austerity measures

Investors responded negatively to Modi’s austerity plans, leading to a sharp decline in Indian equities on Monday.

The BSE Sensex, representing 30 major firms on the Bombay Stock Exchange, dropped 1.70% following the announcement. Similarly, the Nifty 50, which monitors 50 large companies on the National Stock Exchange, fell by 1.49% on Monday.

India is not alone in facing the consequences of the conflict. Various Asian nations, which are heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy, have also adopted austerity steps to mitigate the impact of the oil supply shock.

While Vietnam has encouraged remote work since March, other countries have implemented stricter measures. The Philippines, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have transitioned to four-day workweeks to curb fuel consumption.

Despite a fragile truce, the standoff between the U.S. and Iran shows no signs of concluding. On Monday, Trump indicated that the pause in fighting might end soon after dismissing Iran’s latest proposal as “garbage.”

“They believe I will grow weary or succumb to pressure,” Trump remarked on Monday, according to CNN. “There is no pressure. We are aiming for a total victory.”