Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded to critics questioning India’s economic performance while addressing the UP International Trade Show 2026 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on September 25. He referenced recent international credit rating upgrades and sustained GDP growth amid global challenges.“There are some cynical individuals who attempt to discredit India’s GDP figures… Moody’s has raised India’s growth forecast from 6% to 7%. Japan’s leading rating agency, JCR, has upgraded India’s sovereign rating from BBB+ to A-, and in the last quarter, India maintained its strong momentum by achieving a growth rate of 7.8%,” Shah stated.He emphasised that India has not only sustained but accelerated its economic growth despite international turmoil, reaffirming the government’s ambition of making India the world’s leading economy by its centenary of independence in 2047.“Despite global turmoil, unrest, and numerous hurdles, India has not only sustained its growth rate but accelerated it. I can state with full confidence before the world that we will realise the resolve PM Modi has shared with the people of India, that by August 15, 2047, India will be number one globally across all sectors,” he said.Addressing critics who labelled India’s economy as “dead,” Shah said, “Yet, some people perceive this as a ‘dead economy.’ I tell them: those whose own mindset is ‘dead’ cannot see vibrancy; all they see around them is lifelessness.”He further added, “Those with a jaundiced view cannot bear to see India’s progress. Under PM Modi’s leadership, we have signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with many countries… these agreements have exponentially boosted our industries’ export potential, and we have sustained our growth despite facing various adversities.”Highlighting investments in Uttar Pradesh’s Defence Corridor, Shah noted, “Investments for manufacturing defence equipment are flowing into all six nodes of the Defence Corridor – Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh, and Kanpur. This has fostered the development of defence products not just in Uttar Pradesh, but across the entire country.”He cited indigenous defence manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh as evidence of the region’s expanding role in India’s defence capabilities, saying, “Today, the BrahMos missiles manufactured in UP give Pakistan sleepless nights; this is a prime indicator of the transformation taking place. Similarly, the AK-203 assault rifles made in Amethi are giving sleepless nights to Naxalites and terrorists alike.
Amit Shah cites Moody’s, JCR upgrades to defend India’s economic growth at UP trade show
