Economy Defense by Piyush Goyal amidst Criticism from Opposition in India
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India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, has presented a strong case for the Indian economy in 2024-25, emphasising its robust growth and strategic initiatives.
- Electronics Manufacturing and Exports
The electronics sector in India has seen a remarkable transformation, with production growing from USD 31 billion in 2014-15 to USD 133 billion in 2024-25. This growth has turned India into a global electronics manufacturing hub, and the increase in exports is a testament to the success of the "Make in India" initiative.
- Manufacturing and Employment Drivers
The electronics sector has become a significant driver for employment generation, alongside other components like solar modules and networking devices. This sector's growth is seen as a key factor in India's push towards economic self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat).
- Trade Surpluses and Partnerships
India maintained a trade surplus with the US in 2024-25, exporting USD 86.5 billion in goods compared to USD 45.3 billion in imports. This strong position in international trade underscores the importance of the US as a significant trading partner.
- Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Diversification
India has been actively negotiating and finalising FTAs, such as the India–UK CETA, which aims to boost services exports and create jobs. The government is also exploring agreements with the Eurasian Economic Union to diversify trade partnerships.
- Economic Growth and Projections
India's economy showed resilience with a growth rate in FY25, and projections aim for further expansion with a target of USD 1 trillion in exports by 2030.
- Inflation and Foreign Exchange Reserves
Inflation in India was at 2.82% in May 2025, according to Piyush Goyal. Despite a dip in foreign exchange reserves, they still remained sufficient to cover around 11 months of merchandise imports. The decline in foreign exchange reserves was due to strategic Reserve Bank of India intervention to defend the rupee amid external shocks.
- Optimistic Vision for the Future
Goyal set forth an optimistic vision for the future, stressing that India has consistently emerged stronger from challenging situations. The upcoming years are expected to bring a wave of trade deals, increased manufacturing activity under initiatives like "Make in India," and deeper integration with global economic networks.
With strong fundamentals, a growing workforce, and active trade diplomacy, Piyush Goyal defends the Indian economy as not just stable but primed for accelerated growth in the evolving global order. The stock market in India is also mentioned as being healthy, though specific details are not provided in the given paragraph. The resilience of the rupee, trading steadily at around ₹87.72-₹87.73 per US dollar in early August 2025, further supports this optimistic outlook.
[1] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1739486 [2] https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/india-targets-1-trillion-exports-by-2030-aims-to-double-electronics-exports-to-usd-300-billion-by-2026/2410270/ [3] https://www.tradingeconomics.com/india/trade-balance [4] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-uk-free-trade-agreement-to-boost-services-exports-create-jobs-piyush-goyal-11652249573114.html [5] https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/piyush-goyal-says-india-is-in-talks-with-eurasian-economic-union-for-fta/article39657752.ece
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