External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar today lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swift and decisive intervention to protect 1.4 billion Indians from the price and supply shocks amid the West Asia crisis impacting energy and commodity markets. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said that the Central excise duty on petrol and diesel for domestic consumption cut by 10 litres each will provide cushioning to consumers from rising prices. He added that export duties imposed of 21.5 per litre on diesel and 29.5 per litre on Aviation Turbine Fuel will ensure adequate domestic availability. He added that this is a citizen-first approach of the Government to safeguard the affordability and ease of living of the countrymen.