Daijiworld Media Network – Paris
Paris, Jun 4: In a significant recognition of India’s economic trajectory, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has projected that India will record the highest GDP growth among G20 nations for the years 2025 and 2026, with estimated growth rates of 6.3% and 6.4%, respectively.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during the release of the OECD’s 2025 Economic Outlook Report at a press conference at its Paris headquarters. The event coincided with an informal WTO ministerial-level meeting attended by delegations from India and other partner countries.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is currently in Paris for the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, expressed confidence in India’s upward economic momentum. Speaking at the India-France Business Conference, he highlighted the government's vision, stating, “India is looking to become a $32 trillion economy by 2047. This exponential growth will be possible because of our talent and deepening global partnerships.”
Goyal also reaffirmed India’s commitment to creating a pro-business environment. “Our razor-sharp focus is to make it easier to do business in India,” he said, urging global investors to explore the vast opportunities the country offers.
Meanwhile, the OECD report painted a more sombre picture for the global economy, projecting a slowdown in overall growth from 3.3% in 2024 to 2.9% in both 2025 and 2026. Rising geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, along with tariff threats under the Trump administration in the US, were cited as major dampeners to global economic momentum.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann warned that continued escalation in trade barriers could further reduce growth prospects and drive up inflation. “Additional increases in trade barriers or prolonged uncertainty will further lower growth prospects,” he said.
Despite the global headwinds, India remains a bright spot. The country is also pushing forward on the trade front, particularly with the European Union. Discussions on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have gained pace, with French Minister for Foreign Trade Laurent Saint-Martin indicating that a deal could materialize in the near future. “India is one of our priorities,” he said, noting that the European Commission is eager to expedite the agreement.
As the world grapples with economic uncertainties, India’s steady performance and reform-driven governance model appear to offer a beacon of stability and promise for investors and partners alike.