Lower Q2 GDP growth a temporary blip, says FM

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the lower-than-expected GDP growth of 5.4% in the second quarter was a "temporary blip" and exuded confidence that the economy will see healthy growth in the coming quarters.

- Press Trust of India

Replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha on the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants, she said India has seen "steady and sustained" growth and its GDP growth rate has averaged 8.3% in the last three years.

"The real growth rate for Q1 and Q2 of this financial year (FY25) has been 6.7% and 5.4%, respectively. At 5.4%, the Q2 rate is slower than expected. Q2 of this financial year has been a challenging quarter for India and most other economies of the world," she said.

India continues to be the fastest-growing major economy in the world, Sitharaman said, adding that the credit goes to the people of India who are struggling and meeting their aspirations, thereby, contributing to the economy.