CII Projects 6.5% Growth In FY26

We are looking at 6.5 per cent. We believe this number can be achieved fundamentally, because the fact is, we are starting with a reasonably good foundation, robust economic foundation -- Sanjiv Puri, president, CII

New Delhi: India’s GDP is projected to grow at 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal and the country’s economy is resilient enough to overcome the short-term impact of geopolitical issues, CII president Sanjiv Puri has said.In an interview, he asserted that the country must pursue bilateral trade pacts with key trading partners to protect national interests in the backdrop of increasing trade barriers.

Highlighting that the private investment is picking up across various sectors like energy, transportation, metals, chemicals and hospitality, Puri said the current geopolitical uncertainties could lead to “some cautiousness” in investment. On the economic growth projection for India, he said, “We are looking at 6.5 per cent. We believe this number can be achieved fundamentally, because the fact is, we are starting with a reasonably good foundation, robust economic foundation.”

Elaborating on the reasons, he said, “In the recent past, interest rates have eased. Inflation is becoming benign. There is this personal income tax concession taking in from the first of April. Investments picked up in public and private space in the latter half of last year.” On the high tariffs proposed by US President Donald Trump on several key economies and the trend of rising protectionism globally, Puri acknowledged that “more and more barriers to trade are coming in right now”, suggesting that India should do bilateral trade agreements which are mutually beneficial and in the national interest.