NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed India’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the April-June quarter, calling it a reflection of the country’s collective strength. The Prime Minister also hit out out at those spreading “jhooth ki goonj” saying the latest numbers had torn through the narrative of their “pessimism” about the Indian economy.In a video, PM Modi congratulated citizens for the latest growth figures and said the performance had come despite a difficult global environment marked by wars, supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty.“Heartiest congratulations to my fellow citizens. A growth rate of 7.8%—the nation is filled with joy. I congratulate the people of this country for their resolve and their industrious spirit; this reflects our collective strength,” PM Modi said.PM Modi hit out at those spreading “jhooth ki goonj”, saying the latest numbers had torn through the narrative of their “despair” about the Indian economy.“India’s high GDP growth has come when world is beset by crises and supply chain is disrupted. Since Covid in 2020, global stability has been elusive. Despite this, India is progressing at a fast clip. On the other hand, people mired in despair are busy spreading “jhooth ki goonj” and disappointment all around,” he said.The comments came after government data showed that India’s real GDP grew 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2026-27, accelerating from 6.9 per cent in the corresponding quarter a year earlier. The growth was also higher than the Reserve Bank of India’s 7 per cent forecast and came despite global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.PM Modi said India must maintain the momentum and continue working towards greater self-reliance.“We must maintain this momentum. We must keep moving forward, and for that, becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat is essential,” he said.He also called on citizens to embrace “Swadeshi” and “Vocal for Local”, urging them to support domestic products and reduce spending that takes money out of the country.“We must embrace the mantra of ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Vocal for Local,’” PM Modi said, while also urging people to avoid travelling abroad merely for leisure or holding weddings overseas. Instead, he called for “Weddings in India” and advised people to refrain from buying gold unless absolutely necessary.PM Modi had earlier described the growth as a “herculean feat”, crediting the collective strength of Indians for the economy’s resilience.
