Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government has pursued far-reaching structural reforms, fiscal discipline and monetary stability, while sustaining a strong focus on public investment to strengthen India’s economic foundations.

Addressing Parliament during the Union Budget 2026 presentation, Sitharaman said these measures have been guided by a clear long-term vision aimed at building resilience, self-reliance and sustainable growth.

Structural reforms and fiscal discipline

The Finance Minister said the government has undertaken wide-ranging structural reforms across sectors, while ensuring fiscal prudence and macroeconomic stability. According to her, disciplined fiscal management and coordinated monetary policies have helped India remain stable despite global economic volatility.

She added that these efforts have enhanced investor confidence and created a predictable policy environment, which is critical for long-term economic expansion.

Public investment as growth driver

Highlighting the role of public spending, Sitharaman said a strong thrust on public investment has remained central to the government’s strategy. Investments in infrastructure, energy and logistics, she noted, have not only supported economic activity but also crowd in private investment and generate employment across sectors.

Economists believe sustained public capital expenditure has played a key role in supporting growth momentum during periods of global slowdown.

Aatmanirbharta at the core

Reiterating the government’s commitment to self-reliance, the Finance Minister said Aatmanirbharta has served as the guiding principle of economic policymaking. “Keeping Aatmanirbharta as a lodestar, we have built domestic manufacturing capacity, strengthened energy security and reduced critical import dependencies,” she said.

She emphasised that boosting domestic capabilities has made India more resilient to external shocks, while also positioning the country as a competitive player in global value chains.

As Budget 2026 unfolds, analysts say the emphasis on reforms, fiscal stability and public investment signals policy continuity, with a clear focus on strengthening India’s economic fundamentals while pursuing inclusive and sustainable growth.