Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government’s economic strategy, anchored in Aatmanirbharta, has strengthened domestic manufacturing, enhanced energy security and reduced India’s dependence on critical imports, while ensuring that citizens directly benefit from reforms.
Presenting the broader vision behind the Union Budget 2026, the Finance Minister underlined that self-reliance has remained the guiding principle of the government’s policy approach over the past few years.
Aatmanirbharta as the guiding principle
“Keeping Aatmanirbharta as a lodestar, we have built domestic manufacturing capacity, energy security and reduced critical import dependencies,” Sitharaman said, stressing that India’s growth story is rooted in strengthening internal capabilities rather than excessive reliance on external supply chains.
She noted that focused investments and reforms have helped India become more resilient to global shocks, while creating a stronger foundation for long-term economic stability.
Reforms aimed at citizens’ welfare
The Finance Minister emphasised that economic reforms have gone hand in hand with people-centric policies. According to her, the government has ensured that citizens benefit from every major intervention, whether through employment generation, higher agricultural productivity, or measures to boost household purchasing power.
She also highlighted the government’s focus on expanding universal access to essential services, stating that reforms were designed not only to accelerate growth but also to improve quality of life.
Growth and poverty reduction
Sitharaman said these combined efforts have delivered a robust growth rate of around 7 per cent, even amid global economic uncertainties. More importantly, she added, the reforms have enabled “substantial strides in poverty reduction and improvement in the lives of our people”.
Economists note that sustained growth, coupled with targeted welfare measures, has played a key role in lifting vulnerable sections and strengthening India’s socio-economic fabric.
As Budget 2026 unfolds, the government’s emphasis on self-reliance, inclusive growth and citizen-focused reforms is expected to remain central to India’s development roadmap.