India cuts fuel duties to ease inflation while taxing export windfallsSummary:India cuts diesel excise duty to zero from 10 rupees/litrePetrol duty reduced to 3 rupees/litre from 13 rupeesWindfall tax on diesel exports set at 21.5 rupees/litreMove aimed at easing domestic fuel costs and inflationExport taxes maintained to protect supply and capture revenuePolicy reflects response to rising global oil pricesIndia has announced a significant adjustment to its fuel taxation framework, sharply reducing domestic excise duties on petrol and diesel while maintaining elevated windfall taxes on fuel exports. The move signals a clear policy shift aimed at easing domestic fuel costs while continuing to capture revenue from elevated global energy prices.Under the new measures, the government has cut the special additional excise duty on diesel to zero, down from 10 rupees per litre. Petrol duties have also been reduced substantially, with the levy lowered to 3 rupees per litre from 13 rupees per litre. These changes are expected to provide immediate relief to consumers and businesses by lowering retail fuel prices and easing transportation costs.At the same time, authorities have set a windfall tax on diesel exports at 21.5 rupees per litre and on aviation turbine fuel exports at 29.5 rupees per litre. This reflects a continued effort to tax refinery margins benefiting from strong international prices, ensuring that domestic supply remains prioritised while capturing additional fiscal revenue from exports.The policy recalibration comes against the backdrop of heightened global energy volatility driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Rising crude oil prices have increased input costs for major importing nations such as India, placing upward pressure on inflation and current account dynamics.By cutting domestic fuel duties, the government is effectively leaning against inflationary pressures at home, particularly in sectors sensitive to transport and logistics costs. Diesel, in particular, plays a critical role across freight, agriculture and industrial activity, meaning the removal of excise duty could have broader economic spillovers.However, the simultaneous imposition of export taxes highlights a balancing act. Policymakers appear focused on ensuring domestic fuel availability while discouraging excessive exports that could tighten local supply. It also allows the government to retain a revenue stream from the energy sector at a time when global prices remain elevated.For markets, the move underscores India’s sensitivity to oil price dynamics and reinforces the link between energy costs, inflation management and fiscal policy. While the duty cuts may provide near-term relief to consumers and support growth, the persistence of export taxes suggests authorities remain cautious about supply risks and external pressures. This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.