Sitharaman cites Elon Musk on India’s GDP, slams Opposition

February 2, 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman referenced a social media post shared by billionaire Elon Musk to highlight India’s increasing role in global GDP growth. Musk’s post, based on IMF projections, showed that India is expected to contribute 17% to global GDP growth in 2026, placing it second only to China’s share of 26%.

Sitharaman’s Message to Opposition

Speaking at a Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026–27 in Parliament, Sitharaman said the Musk‑cited data reflects India’s growing economic influence and urged the Opposition to recognize this strength instead of criticizing the government’s policies.

Context: IMF Data & Musk’s Post

The chart Musk shared, based on International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2026 projections, highlighted that China and India together are expected to contribute about 43% of global GDP growth, signaling what Musk described as a “changing balance of power.”

Political Backdrop & Budget Debate

Sitharaman’s remarks came after she presented the Union Budget 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha. While the ruling side has emphasized growth and infrastructure investments, the Opposition has criticized various aspects of the economy and budget strategy.