Key Takeaways
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister Kiren Rijiju cited Elon Musk’s post on India’s GDP to counter opposition criticism.
- Musk’s post highlighted that India’s GDP has surpassed that of the UK and Japan, signaling a shift in global economic power.
- The remarks intensify the ongoing political debate on India’s economic health, with the opposition focusing on unemployment and inflation.
Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju have used a social media post by billionaire Elon Musk to launch a sharp counterattack against opposition parties questioning India’s economic progress.
Sitharaman Cites Musk at Youth Dialogue
Speaking at a Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026 in Delhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman directly referenced the Tesla CEO. “Elon Musk has said that the balance of power is changing. India’s GDP is now bigger than that of the UK and Japan,” she stated. “This is the India which the Opposition is calling a destroyed India.”
She was pointing to a post by Musk on X (formerly Twitter) where he shared a chart illustrating India’s economic milestone.
Rijiju Echoes the Sentiment on Social Media
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju amplified the message on his own X account. “I normally do not react to statements which are not made by Indians. I’m quoting @elonmusk because he is a global icon,” Rijiju wrote, before repeating Musk’s observation about the changing balance of power and India’s GDP.
Amidst Heated Economic Debate
The ministers’ coordinated remarks come amid a fierce political clash over the nation’s economic direction. The opposition has consistently criticised the government’s handling of key issues like and inflation, setting the stage for a continued war of words on economic performance.
