Kiren Rijiju cited Elon Musk’s remarks on India’s rising share in global GDP growth to urge Rahul Gandhi not to “disparage India” while criticizing the government during the Union Budget debate
Union Budget 2026 Rijiju Warns Rahul Gandhi as Elon Musk Highlights India’s GDP Growth (Source:X)
Union Budget 2026–27: Tesla CEO Elon Musk reacted on Sunday to a global report projecting India as the second-largest contributor to global GDP growth in 2026. His comments were later referenced by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to respond to Rahul Gandhi, urging the opposition leader not to “disparage India” while criticizing the government.
The BJP minister referred to a post by Musk a day earlier in which the tech billionaire wrote, “The balance of power is changing.” Musk had shared a report from @stats_feed, noting that China and India together would account for 43.6% of global growth.
Rijiju’s statement came amid Gandhi’s repeated criticism of the BJP-led government’s economic policies, including his past remarks calling the economy “dead” and his objections to the Union Budget 2026–27.
On X (formerly Twitter), Rijiju clarified that he cited Musk to emphasize India’s achievements, “I normally do not react to statements which are not made by Indians. I'm quoting @elonmusk only to sensitise Rahul Gandhi ji that, while criticizing the govt is a democratic right, do not disparage India & never belittle India's achievement. Be a proud Indian,” he wrote.
I normally do not react to statements which are not made by Indians. I'm quoting @elonmusk only to sensitise Rahul Gandhi ji that, while criticizing the govt is a democratic right, do not disparage India & never belittle India's achievement. Be a proud Indian. #ViksitBharat pic.twitter.com/b19NPMrkNY
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 1, 2026
The post shared by Musk ranked the top 10 countries by their projected contribution to global GDP growth in 2026, based on IMF data. According to the list, India is expected to contribute 17%, surpassing the US at 9.9%. China leads with 26.6%, followed by Indonesia at 3.8% and Germany at 0.9%. Musk also noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounts for roughly 50% of global GDP growth.
Earlier in January, the IMF had raised India’s growth projection to 7.3% for fiscal 2025-26 and forecasted 6.4% GDP growth for 2026-27.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also referred to Musk’s comments during the Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026, highlighting India’s rising global economic importance. She said, “Elon Musk takes the IMF data to say ‘wow, is this true’. I don't remember if he exactly said 'wow'... China contributes 26% of growth in global GDP. India contributes 17%. Together, 43 % of global GDP growth comes from these two economies... But India's opposition should also understand that this is the kind of strength that India has acquired now.”
Sitharaman added that while India still trails China in overall size, the gap is narrowing and could be bridged in the coming years.
#WATCH | Delhi: At the Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "...Elon Musk takes the IMF data to say "wow, is this true". I don't remember if he exactly said 'wow'... China contributes 26% of growth in global GDP. India contributes 17%.… pic.twitter.com/qY53GvKeHC
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026
Rijiju’s remarks come against the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi’s repeated criticism of the BJP’s economic record. Gandhi had previously supported US President Donald Trump’s “dead economy” comment from July last year and has continued to question government policies.
Following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27, Gandhi took to X to highlight issues he felt the government had ignored, “Youth without jobs. Falling manufacturing. Investors pulling out capital. Household savings plummeting. Farmers in distress. Looming global shocks – all ignored. A Budget that refuses course correction, blind to India’s real crises,” he wrote.
On Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget, outlining reforms and policies for 2026–27. She emphasized the government’s focus on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, announcing measures to stimulate economic growth and provide consumer relief, though income tax slabs were left unchanged.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the Budget’s global significance, stating, “The 140 crore citizens of India are satisfied with not just being the fastest-growing economy, but we also want to be the third-largest global economy at the earliest. This is the resolve of crores of citizens of the country.”
