Nirmala Sitharaman Cites Elon Musk’s Post On India’s Global GDP Role Forecast

In a spirited defense of India’s economic trajectory, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday highlighted the country’s rising influence on the world stage. Speaking at the “Youth Dialogue on Union Budget 2026-27,” the FM cited a viral post by billionaire Elon Musk to silence domestic critics and the Opposition.

The post in question, shared by the Tesla CEO on January 31, featured IMF (International Monetary Fund) data showing that India is forecast to be the second-largest contributor to global real GDP growth in 2026.

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The Global Growth Rankings (2026 Forecast)

According to the data reshared by Musk with the caption, “The balance of power is changing,” the top contributors to the world’s economic engine are:

1. China: 26.6%
2. India: 17.0%
3. United States: 9.9%
4. Indonesia: 3.8%

Sitharaman pointed out that India and China together account for a staggering 43.6% of all global growth. While acknowledging China’s current lead, she confidently stated, “The gap may be big—26 and 17—but we’ll bridge it.”

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Political Punch: “Understand India’s Strength”

The Finance Minister used the global statistics to hit back at the Opposition’s “insipid” labeling of the 2026 Budget. She urged political rivals to recognize the “strength that India has acquired now” and move past partisan skepticism.

Kiren Rijiju Joins the Fray: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also amplified Musk’s post to target Rahul Gandhi. In a post on X, Rijiju advised the Congress leader:

“Critizing the govt is a democratic right, but do not disparage India & never belittle India’s achievement. Be a proud Indian.”

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The Economic Roadmap

The FM’s comments come on the heels of the IMF raising India’s growth projection to 7.3% for FY 2025-26. The 2026 Budget has maintained a focus on fiscal consolidation (targeting 4.3% deficit) and a massive ₹12.2 lakh crore capex push to ensure India remains the fastest-growing major economy.