San Francisco, April 21
Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman said on Monday that India has become the fastest-growing economy, driven by the "visionary leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the stability provided by a continuing government.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in the US, the Finance Minister said, “When we say that India is the fastest-growing economy and when the IMF and World Bank recognise that India can be the engine driving global trade, what they are recognising is the immense potential that exists in India.”
Highlighting the steps to strengthen the Indian economy, Sitharaman said, "During the Covid-19 pandemic, our fiscal deficit went up. But in 2021, we came up with a clear signal as to how we wanted to manage our fiscal deficit. We set year-on-year targets and committed to bringing the fiscal deficit below 4.5 per cent by 2026. And that's what we have been following each year without fail."
She said the government's primary focus under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is achieving 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. This vision encompasses improvements across sectors impacting women, the impoverished, youth, and farmers.
FM Sitharaman highlighted that India prioritises 'Sunrise Sectors' and stands out as a leader in Digital Public Infrastructure, driving innovation and growth..