Some naysayers cannot tolerate India's growth story: PM Modi on GDP row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at critics of India’s latest GDP figures, saying those responsible for pushing the country into the “Fragile Five” were finding its 7.8 per cent quarterly growth difficult to digest.Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi, Modi said the growth figure had boosted confidence in the economy despite the continuing war in West Asia and global trade challenges.“The 7.8 per cent quarterly growth has boosted the country’s confidence. Those who became infamous for pushing India into the ‘Fragile Five’ are finding these figures difficult to digest,” Modi said.He contrasted India’s present economic position with that of 2013, when it was counted among the “Fragile Five”, a group of emerging economies considered particularly vulnerable to global financial shocks. “The world was calling India one of the ‘Fragile Five’. Today, the world is watching India become the fastest-growing major economy,” he said.The Prime Minister also pointed to a recent upgrade of India’s sovereign rating by a Japanese credit rating agency, describing it as another positive sign for the economy. Modi said achieving 7.8 per cent growth amid geopolitical tensions and trade-related challenges demonstrated India’s economic strength and potential. He added that the expansion was also creating new employment opportunities.Taking another swipe at the government’s critics, Modi said those who viewed the glass as half empty in 2013 continued to do so.“For them, the glass will always be half empty. I am talking about the glass, not about anything else remaining empty,” he said.This is a developing story. It will be updated.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Sep 5, 2026 20:31 IST