Cost must be imposed on countries supporting terror: PM Modi at anti-terror meet

In a fiery Parliament speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took on the opposition by presenting a sharp contrast between India and neighbouring countries facing energy turmoil. She questioned, “What is happening in Pakistan?” while citing steep fuel price hikes and emergency measures like smart lockdowns, reduced work weeks and restricted movement. She also pointed to the crisis in Bangladesh, where electricity shortages have forced universities online and triggered widespread outages. Sitharaman argued that despite a global crude shock, India has avoided such disruptions by cutting excise duty and ensuring supply continuity. Her remarks aim to counter criticism and reinforce the government’s narrative of stability. The debate now goes beyond fuel prices, touching on governance, crisis management and the broader economic contrast in South Asia during a volatile geopolitical phase.