After petrol and diesel prices in India went up by Rs 3 per litre today, you might wonder: are Indians paying more for petrol and diesel than neighbouring countries?
It depends on which country you compare with.
While fuel in countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka has become significantly more expensive due to economic crises and currency pressure, some neighbouring nations still have lower diesel or petrol prices than India.
The latest hike has pushed petrol prices in Delhi to Rs 97.77 per litre and diesel to Rs 90.67. In cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, petrol prices have already crossed Rs 106 and Rs 108 respectively.
Here’s how India compares with nearby countries after the latest petrol, diesel price hike.
Which country has the highest petrol price among India’s neighbours?
Pakistan currently has one of the highest petrol prices in the region.
According to the latest available rates, petrol in Pakistan costs Pakistani Rs 414.78 per litre, while diesel is priced at Pakistani Rs 414.58.
With 1 Pakistani Rupee roughly equal to Rs 0.34 Indian Rupee, petrol and diesel in Pakistan convert to around Rs 141 per litre in Indian currency.
That makes fuel in Pakistan substantially more expensive than in India right now.
Pakistan petrol, diesel prices converted to Indian rupees
- Petrol: Around Rs 141/litre
- Diesel: Around Rs 141/litre
Is petrol cheaper in Nepal than India?
No. Petrol and diesel in Nepal are currently more expensive than in India.
Nepal’s latest fuel prices show petrol at Nepalese Rs 217 per litre and diesel at Nepalese Rs 225 per litre.
Since 1 Nepalese Rupee equals around Rs 0.62 Indian Rupee, petrol in Nepal converts to roughly Rs 134 per litre and diesel to nearly Rs 139 per litre in Indian currency.
Nepal petrol, diesel prices converted to Indian rupees
- Petrol: Around Rs 134/litre
- Diesel: Around Rs 139/litre
How much are petrol and diesel prices in Sri Lanka now?
Sri Lanka’s fuel prices remain elevated after the country’s economic crisis over the last few years.
Latest data shows diesel prices in Sri Lanka at 458 Sri Lankan Rupees per litre. With 1 Sri Lankan Rupee equal to around Rs 0.30 Indian Rupee, diesel there converts to nearly Rs 137 per litre in Indian currency.
Petrol prices in Sri Lanka also remain above Indian levels in many regions.
Sri Lanka petrol, diesel prices converted to Indian rupees
- Diesel: Around Rs 137/litre
Is petrol cheaper in Bangladesh than India?
Bangladesh currently has slightly mixed fuel pricing compared to India.
Petrol prices there stand at 140 Bangladeshi Taka per litre, while diesel costs 115 Taka per litre.
With 1 Bangladeshi Taka equal to around Rs 0.78 Indian Rupee:
- Petrol converts to around Rs 109/litre
- Diesel converts to around Rs 90/litre
This means diesel prices in Bangladesh are almost similar to Delhi rates, while petrol remains more expensive than India.
Bangladesh petrol, diesel prices converted to Indian rupees
- Petrol: Around Rs 109/litre
- Diesel: Around Rs 90/litre
Are petrol & diesel prices in Bhutan lower than India?
Bhutan remains one of the few neighbouring countries where petrol prices are close to Indian levels.
Latest available data shows:
- Petrol: Rs 102.28/litre
- Diesel: Rs 98.19/litre
That makes Bhutan’s fuel prices only slightly higher than Delhi, but still cheaper than rates seen in cities like Mumbai or Kolkata.
Why are petrol and diesel prices hiked in India?
The latest hike comes amid rising global crude oil prices linked to tensions in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
Brent crude prices recently crossed the $100 per barrel mark, increasing pressure on oil-importing countries like India.
State-owned oil companies revised petrol and diesel prices after keeping rates largely unchanged since 2022, apart from a temporary cut ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The increase has also triggered a rise in CNG prices across several Indian cities.
Which country has the cheapest fuel in the region?
Among the countries compared:
- Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka currently have significantly costlier fuel than India.
- Bangladesh diesel prices are close to India’s.
- Bhutan remains closest to Indian fuel prices overall.
However, fuel affordability also depends heavily on average income levels, taxes, subsidies, and currency strength in each country.
(With agency inputs)
