Bhubaneswar, May 11 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to reduce reliance on imported goods and contribute to easing the burden on the country's resources, citing ongoing global economic challenges and geopolitical tensions.

Addressing a gathering in Gujarat, the Prime Minister said India spends vast amounts of foreign exchange on imports, even as prices of global commodities continue to rise and supply chains remain disrupted.

"Even in the earlier decades, whenever the country has gone through war or any other major crisis, every citizen has fulfilled their responsibility in the same way in response to the government's appeal. Today, too, there is a need for all of us to come together and fulfil our responsibility t...