New Delhi: Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Dr V. Anantha Nageswaran today highlighted that India’s real GDP grew by 7.8% in the first quarter of 2026-27, supported by strong manufacturing and investment. Dr Nageswaran also noted that manufacturing Gross Value Added stood at 9.2% in the first quarter of 2026-27 and Merchandise export growth during April-September this year was 18.5%.
He made these remarks in New Delhi while addressing the inaugural session of the ISID-IDRA Fourth National Conference on India’s Industrial Transformation: Reimagining Industrial Strategy Amidst Global Economic Uncertainty . Dr Nageswaran also said that the country is expanding free trade agreements to open new opportunities for Indian businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly in labour-intensive manufacturing and advanced industries.
The CEA said the country’s focus must shift from producing goods at the lowest cost to making the world rely on what India produces. Dr Nageswaran also stressed the need to move beyond India’s traditional strengths in agriculture and the achievements of the Green and White Revolutions. He said that while agriculture and food processing remain important, India must increasingly create a pathway from agriculture to technology-driven industries through better education, skill development, technological innovation and higher productivity.
The Chief Economic Adviser emphasised that access to critical resources is essential for economic resilience. He said, India must strengthen domestic production, diversify import sources and build adequate reserves of essential commodities, including energy, industrial metals, fertilisers, pharmaceutical ingredients and critical minerals. He also called for developing products, technologies and capabilities that make India indispensable to global supply chains. Dr Nageswaran called for a coordinated strategy that strengthens domestic manufacturing, secures critical supplies and builds globally competitive capabilities to sustain India’s growth for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
[AIR news]