Gaurav Vallabh: Global Turmoil Can't Shake India's Economic Might

Economist-turned-BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh paints a picture of fortitude for India's economy in the face of worldwide turbulence. In a candid interview, he rebuts crisis narratives, lauds PM Modi's foresight, and takes aim at Congress's economic record. Three global conflicts dominate headlines: West Asian unrest, Russia-Ukraine protracted war, US-China commodity clashes. Supply chains are in chaos, spiking costs for India's heavy importers of oil (87% needs) and gold (99%). FY26 import bill for these: Rs 18 lakh crore. Modi's call? Voluntary restraint – defer gold buys, trim fuel use by 10%, saving Rs 1.8 lakh crore in forex. This isn't panic; it's empowerment. India boasts 60-day oil reserves, 45-day LPG stocks. Hormuz disruptions? Bypassed via deft diplomacy and Indian vessels. PM leads by example, scaling back his fleet – a beacon for all. Achievements under Modi: World's 4th biggest economy (PPP terms), 8 crore out of poverty, Mudra loans to 40 crore, startup boom. Growth at 7% eyed for FY27, forex at $690B, deficit tamed. Vallabh dismisses lockdown whispers as opposition misinformation. Work-from-home, public transit, virtual meets, domestic travel – small shifts with big impacts. He calls out Rahul Gandhi for gloom-mongering, labeling India a 'dead economy' despite facts. Congress havens like Karnataka face infrastructure paralysis from impossible pledges. India balances ties with all powers on 'Nation First' lines. Rahul's foreign holidays? Time to pause for forex savings. Congress's Assam rout signals leadership woes; Pawan Khera's smears demand justice. Agriculture has historically steadied India in crises. With services and manufacturing, the economy will thrive, Vallabh affirmed.