India has announced a ₹3 (approximately $0.04 USD) increase in fuel prices, marking the first adjustment in years and translating to around three percent at the pump. This move comes after nearly three months of shielding consumers from a global oil crisis, during which crude oil prices surged past $100 per barrel due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. In contrast, countries like Pakistan and Malaysia have experienced petrol price increases of nearly 55%. The Indian government managed to maintain stable fuel prices thanks to its relatively strong fiscal position, allowing it to absorb the impact of rising crude costs without immediately passing them on to consumers. This strategic timing aims to mitigate the risk of a more severe price correction in the future. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent call for reduced vehicle usage further emphasizes the need for caution in this volatile economic climate.