NEW DELHI: Indian economy is on a stage of "take off" and is expected to be the world's third largest by 2030 with
GDP worth $10 trillion, Economic Affairs Secretary
Subhash Chandra Garg said on Saturday.
"Good days are ahead and lot of good work is happening in the economy. The economy is on a stage of take off where Indians can legitimately hold their heads high," he said here.
In the first 40 years of independence, the country hardly grew at 3.5 per cent and today, 7-8 per cent is the norm, Garg said at a function to mark the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
"By 2030, we can legitimately expect to be a $10 trillion economy. That is the challenge. That is also the opportunity," he said.
India's trade deficit widens to more than 5-year high in June
The depreciating rupee and a widening trade deficit pose a challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is aiming to boost economic growth ahead of national elections, due to early next year. India's trade balance is further bruised by a weakening Indian rupee that hit an all-time low last month.
"Eight per cent growth is very much achievable... If we keep that... we can look forward to be an Indian economy of $10 trillion which would be the third largest economy in the world," Garg said.
His comments also come close on the heels of latest
World Bank data showing that the country emerged as the sixth largest economy in the world, surpassing France, in 2017.
Read full story here: India beats France to become sixth largest economy
In 2017, India became the sixth largest economy with a
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.59 trillion, relegating France to the seventh position, according to the data.
"We expect the Indian economy to be a $1 trillion
digital economy by 2022 and going forward... possibly by 2030, the digital economy would be half of the total economy," the Economic Affairs Secretary said.
The country's economy grew at a seven-quarter high of 7.7 per cent in the three months ended March 2018, helped by higher government spending and investments.
