Is Finance Minister Sitharaman Showcasing India's Growth in Spain, Portugal, and Brazil?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on a crucial visit to Spain, Portugal, and Brazil.
- She will participate in the International Conference on Financing for Development and the BRICS Finance Ministers Meeting.
- India's GDP growth is projected to be 6.5 percent this fiscal year.
- Meetings with international leaders aim to strengthen economic ties.
- The visit highlights India's potential in sustainable development.
New Delhi, June 30 (NationPress) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has embarked on an official tour to Spain, Portugal, and Brazil from Monday until July 5 (Saturday), as announced by the Ministry on Monday.
She is heading the Indian delegation from the Department of Economic Affairs within the Ministry of Finance.
During her visit to Seville, Spain, the Finance Minister will take part in the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), organized by the United Nations, where she will present a statement on behalf of India.
Additionally, Finance Minister Sitharaman will give a keynote address at the International Business Forum Leadership Summit on the topic of "From FFD4 Outcome to Implementation: Unlocking the Potential of Private Capital for Sustainable Development" in Seville.
On the sidelines of this event, she is scheduled to meet with senior Ministers from Germany, Peru, and New Zealand, as well as the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calvino, according to an official statement.
In Lisbon, Portugal, she plans to engage in a bilateral meeting with Portugal's Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento and connect with prominent investors and members of the Indian community.
In Rio de Janeiro, the Finance Minister will address the 10th Annual Meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) as India's Governor and will also attend the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.
During the NDB events, she will speak at the NDB Flagship Governors' Seminar titled "Building a Premier Multilateral Development Bank for the Global South".
Furthermore, she will conduct bilateral discussions with her counterparts from Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Russia, as noted by the Ministry.
This visit arises at a pivotal moment when India is projected to achieve a GDP growth of 6.5 percent in the current fiscal year (FY26), driven by strong domestic demand, a normal monsoon, and monetary easing, as reported by S&P Global Ratings.
The resilience of domestic demand is particularly significant in mitigating economic slowdowns in countries less reliant on goods exports like India.
According to the report covering Asia-Pacific economies, "We anticipate India's GDP growth will remain steady at 6.5 percent in fiscal 2026 (ending March 31, 2026). This forecast is based on expectations of a normal monsoon, reduced crude oil prices, income-tax concessions, and monetary easing."