Even as conflicts in West Asia, volatile energy prices, rising tariffs, a weakening rupee and mounting climate pressures rattle economies worldwide, India has continued posting some of the strongest growth numbers globally.

The country isn't just weathering these headwinds. It is using domestic demand, public investment and increasingly assertive trade diplomacy to turn a difficult global moment into opportunity, cementing its place as the world's fastest-growing major economy. That diplomatic momentum will be on full display this month as India hosts the BRICS Summit in Delhi.

India's economy grew 7.8% in the first quarter of FY27, extending a run of performance that has consistently beaten expectations. The figure sits well above the 6.4-6.7% range projected by the IMF, World Bank and Reserve Bank of India for the full year — forecasts that already placed India ahead of every other major economy.

Global growth is expected to average around 3.2% in 2026; China trails India at 4.5-4.6%, the US sits at 2.3-2.4%, and the Euro Area lags further still at a muted 1.3%. Even the broader basket of emerging and developing economies is projected to grow only around 4.2%. India has held the title of fastest-growing major economy through the post-pandemic years and continues to lead emerging Asia, a region the IMF expects to expand roughly 5% in 2026.

The recovery since the pandemic has been remarkable. GDP contracted sharply by about 6% in 2020-21, but rebounded to 8.7% the following year on pent-up demand and fiscal support. The growth moderated to around 7........

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