Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 2: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday highlighted India’s growing role in the global economy, citing International Monetary Fund (IMF) data shared on social media by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. According to the chart, India and China together account for 43 per cent of worldwide GDP growth, with China contributing 26 per cent and India 17 per cent, surpassing the United States in driving global expansion.

Speaking to university students in Parliament after presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, FM Sitharaman noted that many young people may have seen Musk’s post, which expressed surprise at the shift in global economic power.

“The data clearly reflects India’s rising strength and influence in the global economy,” Sitharaman said, adding that even India’s Opposition should acknowledge the country’s growing economic clout.

While she recognised that China’s contribution remains higher, the finance minister emphasised that India is steadily closing the gap and is on a long-term growth trajectory. “India should take pride in playing such a significant role in global GDP growth alongside its neighbour,” she said.
FM Sitharaman further stressed that Indians should have confidence in the nation’s economy, noting that India is now central to global economic expansion and that its growth story is being noticed and discussed worldwide.

Elon Musk had originally shared the chart, created by World of Statistics, remarking that the global balance of power is changing, drawing widespread attention to the IMF data.