The Ascent of India’s Economy

Why It Matters

The acceleration reshapes global investment flows and positions India as a pivotal growth engine for multinational corporations and supply‑chain diversification.

Key Takeaways

• India’s GDP growth outpaces most Asian peers
• GST and FDI reforms boost private sector confidence
• U.S. policy under Trump increased capital inflows
• Modi targets developed‑economy status by 2047
• Supply‑chain shifts favor India over China

Pulse Analysis

India’s economic narrative has long been defined by the so‑called “Hindu rate of growth,” a term that captured decades of modest expansion. Over the past few years, however, the country has embarked on a series of structural reforms that have fundamentally altered that trajectory. The introduction of a unified Goods and Services Tax eliminated cascading state taxes, while the liberalization of foreign‑direct investment caps opened previously restricted sectors to global capital. Together, these measures have spurred a surge in manufacturing output and services exports, propelling India toward the ranks of the world’s top four economies.

A less discussed but equally important catalyst was the geopolitical climate under the Trump administration. A more protectionist U.S. stance toward China redirected a portion of American corporate investment toward alternative markets, with India emerging as a prime beneficiary. Trade negotiations and strategic partnerships, such as the U.S.–India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, reinforced confidence among multinational firms seeking diversification. This external boost complemented domestic reforms, creating a virtuous cycle of higher productivity, rising wages, and expanding consumer demand.

Looking ahead, the momentum faces both opportunities and headwinds. While the government’s 2047 vision of a developed economy provides a clear policy horizon, challenges remain in infrastructure, skill development, and regulatory consistency. Nevertheless, the convergence of internal reforms and favorable external dynamics positions India as a central hub for future global supply chains and a magnet for long‑term investment. Companies that align early with India’s growth story stand to capture significant market share as the nation cements its role in the next wave of global economic expansion.

The ascent of India’s economy

It has benefited from a slice of luck, a commitment to economic reform and a shove from Donald Trump · Jan 22 2026 · Mumbai · 8 min read

India has seldom been a source of economic cheer. The “Hindu rate of growth” is, notoriously, a pace so stubbornly slow it might have been cosmically fixed. Even in recent decades, as India has become the world’s fastest‑growing big economy and closes in on being its fourth‑largest, it has never matched the pace of Asia’s 20th‑century tigers. The goal set by Narendra Modi, the prime minister, of being a developed economy by 2047, the centennial of independence, has seemed far off. The world’s most populous country has remained peripheral to the global economy. But it is now showing remarkable promise.