Gold imports fall 81% in Sept after PM Modi's 'don't buy gold' call

India's gold imports fell 81.27% year-on-year to $1.8 billion in September, marking a second consecutive monthly decline, while silver imports dropped 49.11%. The decline follows the government's increase in import duty on precious metals from 6% to 15%, effective May 13. PM Narendra Modi has also urged people to defer gold purchases amid the West Asia crisis and related disruptions.