Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 30: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said India continues to lead as the world’s fastest-growing economy for the fourth consecutive year, clocking a GDP growth of 6.5% in 2024-25, driven by strong performance in manufacturing, services, and agriculture.

Speaking at the Lakshmipat Singhania-IIM Lucknow National Leadership Award function, Sitharaman said the January-March quarter saw a robust 7.4% growth, with manufacturing output rising 4.8%, services 7.3%, and agriculture 5.4%.

She credited small, medium and large industries for sustaining growth and added, “Even during COVID, agriculture kept us afloat.”

The minister said the government is committed to easing regulatory hurdles and urged citizens to shed doubts about India's capability. “Yes, we can become a developed country by 2047,” she said, calling for a collective fight against petty corruption to achieve this vision.