PM Modi lauds 7.8% growth ‘despite wars, instability’; revives appeal for austerity measures

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people on India’s 7.8% GDP growth in the April-June quarter, crediting the nation’s resolve and efforts for the achievement. He also requested people not to buy gold and to shun foreign holidays and weddings to preserve foreign exchange reserves.

“Since the 2020 COVID pandemic, there has been no stability anywhere, but India has progressed well,” said PM Modi in an Instagram post.

He said that the country achieved this milestone despite wars and conflicts across the globe. “We have to maintain the speed of our growth, and for that, we must become self-reliant,” PM Modi said. He credited the growth to the country’s policies, intentions and people’s strength.

“Certain people in India have been trying to spread negativity, falsehood,” he accused. “But we progressed well despite all that.”

He asked people to be ‘vocal for local’ by shunning foreign holidays and weddings. “Unless necessary, do not buy gold,” he said.

“If we continue to stress on Swadeshi, self-reliance, we will present our youth with a developed India in the 100th year of Independence,” the Prime Minister said. “Our hard work will fulfil the youth’s dreams; let’s not hold back.”

The growth in India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at 7.8% in the April-June 2026 quarter (Q1 FY27), quicker than the 6.9% recorded in Q1 of last year, but slower than the 8.6% of the January-March 2026 quarter.

Mr. Modi in May 2026, issued a seven-point austerity appeal to citizens to conserve foreign exchange and protect the economy amid energy and oil crises caused by the West Asia conflict.