India, Aug. 10 -- The government has no direct role in deciding prices of petrol and diesel, as rates are market-driven, and public sector oil companies decide the costs, the petroleum ministry said on Monday.

Minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Suresh Gopi gave the response in the Rajya Sabha while answering a question on whether the government planned to reduce petrol and diesel prices amid a sustained decline in international crude oil prices.

The government said that despite volatility in global crude oil and petroleum product prices, the increase in petrol and diesel prices in India between June 2021 and June 2026 was much lower than in several developed and neighbouring countries.

In Delhi, petrol prices rose 8.1% dur...