In a bold assertion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proclaimed India as the chief engine driving global growth, capturing 17 percent of the world’s GDP increase and eclipsing the United States. This revelation came during an engaging session with students post the 2026-27 budget presentation in Parliament.
Drawing from an IMF chart popularized by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Sitharaman detailed how India and China dominate with a combined 43 percent contribution—India’s slice at 17 percent versus China’s 26 percent. ‘The center of economic gravity is shifting,’ she noted, highlighting Asia’s rising dominance over Western economies.
While recognizing China’s edge, the minister remains optimistic about India’s narrowing the divide through strategic investments in manufacturing, technology, and human capital. She called for national pride: ‘We’re playing a starring role in global growth alongside our neighbor.’
Sitharaman stressed the importance of self-belief in India’s economic prowess, now under the global spotlight. The Musk-shared graphic, sourced from World of Statistics, underscores a realignment where emerging markets like India lead the charge.
This comes at a time when India’s GDP growth forecasts outpace most peers, bolstered by resilient consumption, export momentum, and fiscal prudence. Experts see this as validation of ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, setting the stage for India to potentially claim the top spot in coming years.
The minister’s message is clear: India’s story is one of unstoppable momentum, inviting the world to join its ascent.