Bhubaneswar, May 12 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged citizens to reduce dependence on imported foreign products, warning that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has disrupted global supply chains and sharply increased prices of imported goods.

Addressing an event in Gujarat, Modi said India spends "lakhs of crores" in foreign exchange on imports and stressed that even small efforts by citizens could help reduce pressure on the country's economy.

"Just as every drop fills a pot, every small and big effort matters. We must reduce the use of products that come from abroad and avoid unnecessary dependence on imported goods in our daily lives," the Prime Minister said.

Modi also appealed to people to cut fuel consumption by us...