Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday urged Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to refrain from “disparaging India,” citing remarks by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on India’s rising contribution to global economic growth.
Rijiju’s comments came after Elon Musk reacted to a global statistics report projecting India as the second-largest contributor to global GDP growth in 2026. Sharing data attributed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Musk wrote, “The balance of power is changing,” highlighting that China and India together are expected to account for 43.6 per cent of global growth.
Rijiju References Musk to Highlight National Achievement
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s continued criticism of the BJP-led government’s economic policies, Rijiju said he was quoting Musk only to underline India’s growing global stature.
“I normally do not react to statements which are not made by Indians. I’m quoting @elonmusk only to sensitise Rahul Gandhi ji that, while criticizing the government is a democratic right, do not disparage India and never belittle India’s achievement. Be a proud Indian,” Rijiju posted on X.
The minister’s remarks came amid Gandhi’s renewed criticism of the Union Budget 2026–27 and his reiteration of the “dead economy” comment previously made by former US President Donald Trump, which Gandhi has publicly endorsed.
India’s GDP Contribution Projection for 2026
According to the IMF data shared by Musk, India is projected to contribute around 17 per cent to global GDP growth in 2026, placing it second after China, which is expected to contribute 26.6 per cent. The United States follows with a projected contribution of 9.9 per cent, while countries such as Indonesia and Germany are estimated at 3.8 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively. The Asia-Pacific region as a whole is expected to account for nearly 50 per cent of global economic growth.
Earlier, the IMF had raised India’s growth projection to 7.3 per cent for the 2025–26 fiscal year and forecast GDP growth of 6.4 per cent for 2026–27.
Nirmala Sitharaman Echoes Musk’s Remarks
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also referred to Musk’s reaction while speaking at the Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026. Citing IMF data, she said the figures reflect India’s growing economic weight globally.
“China contributes 26 per cent of global GDP growth, India contributes 17 per cent. Together, 43 per cent of global growth comes from these two economies. India’s opposition should also understand the strength the country has acquired,” Sitharaman said, adding that while the gap with China remains, it is not unbridgeable.
Rahul Gandhi Maintains Criticism
Rahul Gandhi, however, has continued to question the government’s economic direction. After the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27, he listed issues such as unemployment, declining manufacturing, falling household savings, farmer distress, and global economic risks, accusing the government of ignoring structural challenges.
Budget 2026–27 and Government’s Stand
Finance Minister Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget on Sunday, describing it as a reform-oriented roadmap for the coming decades. While income tax slabs were left unchanged, the Budget emphasized growth, self-reliance, and long-term economic resilience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Budget would further strengthen India’s global position, reiterating the government’s goal of making India the world’s third-largest economy at the earliest.
