Petrol, diesel price hike 'Modi's gift', country has come to 'tragic situation': Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Terming the petrol and diesel price hike as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "gift", Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said the country has come to a "tragic situation."
He also criticised the PM's call for fuel saving, postponement of gold purchases, among other measures to spend wisely.
Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by Rs 3 per litre each on Friday, the first rate increase in more than four years, amid mounting losses of fuel retailers due to surging global crude prices in the wake of the West Asia conflict.
The increase comes 16 days after Assembly elections concluded in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
"Petrol and diesel price hike is Modi's gift. He has failed in international relationships. He has not maintained a good relationship with anyone in the neighbourhood. Now he is asking people of the country to limit the petrol use, not to purchase gold, minimise edible oil consumption. How can it be stopped or limited," Shivakumar asked.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "It cannot be done. The country has come to a tragic situation. We have to save and protect this country."
People earn, and lead their lives accordingly. "No one can be controlled. It should be ensured that people lead their lives smoothly with whatever they have," he further said.
Emphasising that the Centre is trying to shield people from the adverse impact of the conflict in West Asia, PM Modi on Sunday called for judicious use of fuel, postponement of gold purchases and foreign travel, among other measures, to strengthen the economy.
Alleging Modi has failed in international relationships, the Deputy CM said, "He could not manage well, he could not help. That's the reason he has made a certain appeal to people, like he did during the Covid to light the lamp, ring the bell. It is not possible. How can I stop consumption of oil in my house? How can I stop using vehicle?"
"The Prime Minister might have reduced his security to two vehicles, fine. Let others do it across the country," he said, adding, "How can you say people should not travel outside? It is their pleasure their earnings. People travel with their earnings. It is very unfortunate (to ask people not to travel outside)."
Further noting that every woman wants to have at least a gold chain for their Mangalya or Mangalsutra, Shivakumar asked how they can be stopped from buying gold for a Mangalya chain. "It is not fair."
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Xi, Trump reach series of new common understandings: China's foreign ministry
Beijing (PTI): Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world, and reached a series of new common understandings, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.
Xi and Trump, who is on a three-day visit to China, met twice on Thursday and discussed a range of bilateral and global issues.
Trump is due to leave on Friday after a luncheon meeting with Xi.
Summing up the outcomes of Trump’s visit to Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world and reached a series of new common understandings.
They agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability to provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond.
The two presidents also agreed to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world, said a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson.
Trump visited China at the invitation of Xi.
The two presidents are meeting in person again for the first time since their Busan meeting last October, and it is the first visit to China by a US president in nine years, the statement said.
On Thursday, President Xi held a welcome ceremony and a banquet for Trump, held talks and visited the Temple of Heaven with him.
VIDEO | Beijing: On second day of bilateral talks, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) thanks Chinese President Xi Jinping for 'incredible' China trip.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2026
Trump says, "Thank you very much. This has been an incredible visit. I think a lot of good has come of it. We've made some… pic.twitter.com/7A7lbEzLdC
