President Murmu says India continues to move ahead as world's fastest-growing major economy

PTI, August 14, 2026, New Delhi : Highlighting India's economic resilience, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the country continues to move ahead as the world's fastest-growing major economy, with its growth rate projected to be more than double the global average.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, President Murmu noted that warfare and instability prevailing in several parts of the world are affecting every country.

She emphasised that despite such trying circumstances, initiatives like 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' (Self-Reliant India initiative) have further strengthened the bedrock of the country's economic progress and national security.

The President's remarks on global turmoil come at a time when the crisis in the Middle East, marked by expanding regional conflicts, military instability, and heightened maritime security risks across crucial shipping corridors, continues to disrupt global energy supply chains and inflate trade costs worldwide.

Highlighting India's commitment to sustainable growth, she said that while advancing on the path of modern development, the country is playing a leading role at the global level in protecting the environment.

She added that India has achieved several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted for 2030 ahead of schedule, with the development of renewable energy gaining unprecedented momentum over the past few years.

Highlighting the country's technological and physical transformation, the President said India has developed the world's largest and most advanced digital infrastructure, with digital payments now becoming commonplace even among street vendors and in small rural shops.

She said that India currently accounts for more than half of the world's real-time digital transactions, adding that the collective efforts of the people and the government have presented a model digital revolution to the global community.

Technology, she said, has enabled the government to deliver the benefits of welfare schemes directly to citizens in a transparent manner.

The President also spoke about an unprecedented expansion across highways, waterways, railways, and airways over recent years and said this rapid development is creating new business opportunities, generating employment, and significantly boosting investor confidence across the country.