India will see a new freedom when not a drop of petrol or diesel is imported into the country, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari reportedly said. PTI has reported that the minister has also said that stopping the import of petrol and diesel is linked to arresting terrorism across the world.

The minister reportedly said that the import bill for petrol and diesel in India currently stands at ₹16 lakh crore. Gadkari reportedly claimed that if India can reduce the import of fossil fuels into the country, the money it saves will go to the poor.

This is not the first time Nitin Gadkari has advocated for the reduction of petrol and diesel imports into the country. Previously as well, he advocated for the reduction of fossil fuels from foreign countries and the development of greener and cleaner alternative fuel solutions in India