India's 7.8% Q1 growth defies pessimists, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday celebrated India's robust economic performance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, characterizing the 7.8 per cent gross domestic product growth rate as a "herculean feat" that confounded doubters.

Modi's remarks came as official data confirmed the strong expansion, underscoring the resilience of Asia's third-largest economy amid global economic uncertainties. The prime minister used the occasion to highlight India's economic trajectory and dismiss what he termed as pessimistic assessments from critics.

"India bloomed while doomsayers were doomed," Modi said, in a pointed reference to earlier predictions of an economic slowdown. The growth figure reflects sustained momentum across key sectors and consumer demand, reinforcing India's position as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies.

Economists attributed the strong performance to robust domestic consumption, continued government spending on infrastructure, and improved industrial output. The growth rate places India ahead of several advanced and emerging economies, strengthening its credentials as a growth engine for the global economy.