Context:

• Amid global economic turbulence marked by rising protectionism, trade barriers, and demographic challenges in developed economies, India has pursued an inwardly strengthened yet outwardly confident growth model.
• The article illustrates India’s economic resurgence powered by self-belief, resilience, and reform-driven transformation.

India Amid Global Protectionism:

• Return of protectionism:
  • The United States has imposed a $1,00,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions and 100% tariffs on branded pharmaceuticals, reflecting growing economic nationalism and demographic anxiety.
  • Such measures highlight the inward turn of developed nations seeking job protection and trade barriers.
• India’s counter approach:
  • India’s response has been to strengthen its internal foundations — the three pillars of “Scale, Skill, and Self-Reliance.”
  • This shift is not isolationist but a strategy to convert adversity into economic acceleration.

Demographic Dividend and Reform Momentum:

• Youth as India’s strength:
  • India’s median age is below 29, with two-thirds of its population under 35, unlike ageing China (median age above 40).
  • This demographic advantage, combined with education, skilling, and entrepreneurship, positions India as the growth engine of the world economy.
• Reform and economic resilience:
  • Over the past decade, reforms in infrastructure, manufacturing, taxation (GST), and digital governance have bolstered India’s global standing.
  • RBI’s FY26 GDP forecast stands at 6.8%, supported by strong domestic demand, investment flows, and monsoon prospects.
  • GST collections consistently exceed ₹1.8 lakh crore monthly, showing robust consumption and formalisation.
  • Forex reserves at $700 billion can cover 11 months of imports — a sign of macroeconomic stability.

Growth Indicators and Festive Momentum:

• Economic performance:
  • Purchasing Managers’ Indexes (PMI): The manufacturing PMI held strong at 57.7 and services at 60.9, reaffirming India’s status as the world’s fastest-growing large economy.
  • Exports: In 2024-25, India’s overall exports of goods and services reached an all-time high of about $825 billion, while merchandise exports alone were about $437 billion.
  • Renewable capacity: Surpassed 220 GW.
  • Inflation: Inflation is moderate and fiscal prudence is matched by record public capital expenditure.
• Consumer confidence:
  • Festive retail and e-commerce sales (Dussehra 2025): ₹3.7 lakh crore, 15% higher than 2024.
  • Online gross merchandise value (GMV): Over ₹90,000 crore, reflecting a digitally empowered middle class.

Atmanirbhar Bharat - Redefining Self-Reliance:

• Clarifying the concept:
  • Critics misunderstand Atmanirbhar Bharat as isolationism. In reality, it represents “strength turned outward.”
  • The initiative fosters Make in India for the World, enabling decentralised, inclusive growth.
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) impact:
  • Catalysed investments in mobile phones, defence, solar modules, and medical devices.
  • Generated employment, innovation, and export capacity.

Technology, Innovation, and Global Integration:

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI):
  • UPI handles 650 million transactions daily, surpassing Visa.
  • Aadhaar, DigiLocker, ONDC form a population-scale ecosystem connecting citizens and enterprises.
  • Global collaborations — UPI partnerships with Singapore, UAE — underscore India’s tech diplomacy.
• R&D and Start-up ecosystem:
  • Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): ₹50,000 crore outlay to boost R&D and innovation.
  • Fund-of-funds for start-ups and expanded PLI deepen technological self-sufficiency.

Diaspora Strength - Economic and Cultural Ambassadors:

• Indian diaspora: Over 32 million strong diaspora, is among the world’s most successful and respected. Remittances of $135 billion in 2024 are not just inflows of wealth, they are affirmations of trust.
• 11 Fortune 500 companies led by Indian-origin CEOs representing $6 trillion in market cap.
• This reflects India’s global human capital advantage.

Skilling India for the World:

• Next step: Global Skilling Mission
• Integrate: Make in India, Startup India, and Skill India under a unified framework.
• Focus: Internationally aligned curricula, language training, pre-departure orientation, and social security portability.
• Aim: Make the Indian worker the preferred professional globally.

Way Forward:

• Expand human capital diplomacy: Through bilateral skilling and mobility agreements.
• Sustain reform momentum: In manufacturing, logistics, and financial inclusion.
• Boost R&D spending: Encourage private sector innovation under NRF.
• Strengthen green transition: Accelerate renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing.
• Enhance trade resilience: Through diversification of export markets and free trade agreements.

Conclusion:

• India’s economic journey is a leap of self-belief and confidence.
• India is not retreating behind walls but building capabilities and capacity, emerging as a civilisationally confident, modern, and globally integrated economy.
• Amid global uncertainty, India remembers its strength — and leaps ahead.