Do US Experts Support India's Growth While Advocating for a Manufacturing Boost?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Washington, Feb 2 (NationPress) - The recent union budget highlights India’s robust growth trajectory and offers optimistic signals regarding trade and investment, as articulated by economists and business leaders from the US. They emphasized the necessity for a stronger emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness.
Steve Hanke, a professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University, remarked that India’s economic success under Prime Minister Modi is predictable.
“It’s evident that Modi is the most favored major politician globally,” Hanke stated.
He referenced projections from the International Monetary Fund, which forecast India's annual real GDP growth to be around 6.45% from 2025 to 2030, making it the fastest-growing among significant economies.
Hanke connected India’s favorable outlook to its trade and growth-centric policies, asserting that substantial growth would continue to draw global interest and investment.
In a separate statement, Gunjan Bagla, CEO of Amritt, a US-India consultancy located in Los Angeles, noted that the budget signifies a progressive step forward from an international trade and investment viewpoint.
He mentioned that a 9% rise in infrastructure investment would eventually enhance foreign trade by improving logistics and connectivity.
Bagla also expressed support for the 15% increase in defense spending, which he believes will bolster India’s military readiness against various threats, while acknowledging existing hardware vulnerabilities.
He indicated that while the budget’s focus on manufacturing is commendable, it lacks ambition.
“Indian manufacturers would gain from a more vigorous push across all sectors,” Bagla asserted, suggesting that broader backing would enable Indian factories to compete more effectively with China.
Bagla emphasized that Indian entrepreneurs have established impressive companies over the last 20 years, with the potential for many more to emerge as global contenders if backed by the right policies.
“Manufacturing can generate hundreds of millions of jobs in India,” he added.
He concluded by stating that the global economy must view India not only as a rapidly growing market but also as a potential manufacturing powerhouse.