Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks Indians to avoid buying gold for at least a year, a move aimed at easing pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves as the country faces economic strain linked to the West Asia conflict and related oil and currency shocks. Multiple outlets report that the appeal comes as India imports a large share of its crude oil and global energy prices rise, contributing to higher import bills and affecting the rupee. In parallel, India faces an energy- and trade-balance challenge as gold demand remains significant and gold imports rise. Media coverage also links the government’s stance to the broader effort to reduce foreign-currency spending. Business-focused reports add that gold retailers and jewellery stocks feel the impact of the message, with at least one outlet noting that import-duty changes have added to pressure on the sector. Several reports cite the record level of gold imports and the role of higher global gold prices in increasing the value of purchases. Overall, sources agree that Modi’s request targets reduced gold imports to conserve dollars and support the balance of payments during the ongoing crisis.