India's GDP records surprise growth of 7.8% amid Iran war - Nikkei Asia

**India’s GDP Surges 7.8% Amid Regional Turmoil**

India’s economy posted an unexpected 7.8 % year‑on‑year expansion in the latest quarter, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and reported by *Nikkei Asia*. The growth came at a time when the Middle East is engulfed in a war involving Iran, raising concerns about oil price volatility and supply‑chain disruptions. Despite these external headwinds, domestic consumption, services output, and a rebound in manufacturing contributed to the robust performance, pushing India’s GDP growth ahead of most analysts’ forecasts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seized on the figures, describing the surge as “strong numbers” and launching a political counter‑attack he termed “Jhooth Ki Goonj” (echo of lies) against opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier questioned the credibility of the data. In a televised address, Modi also revived his long‑standing “Swadeshi” narrative, urging citizens to curb gold purchases and avoid marrying abroad, framing the growth as evidence that India can thrive without excessive reliance on foreign assets.

The opposition, led by the Congress Party, dismissed the numbers as a “greatly distorted picture” of the economy, citing persistent issues such as unemployment, rural distress, and inflation. *The Hindu* and *The Times of India* reported that Congress lawmakers demanded greater transparency in the methodology used to compile the GDP estimates. Economists cautioned that while the headline growth is encouraging, it masks sector‑specific challenges that could surface if global oil markets remain volatile due to the Iran conflict. The government’s swadeshi push, highlighted by *Hindustan Times*, may further influence consumer behaviour and trade dynamics in the months ahead.