In a no-nonsense appeal that should send shockwaves through global investment circles, Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged US investors to “bet big” on India, spotlighting the country as a rare beacon of stability and growth amid a turbulent global economy. Speaking at the US-India Economic Forum in Washington DC, Malhotra didn’t mince words: India remains the fastest-growing major economy, projected to expand at a strong 6.5% in the current financial year despite mounting global uncertainties
While advanced economies grapple with economic headwinds and faltering outlooks, India is sprinting ahead, boasting an average annual growth rate of 8.2% over the past four years-far outpacing the 6.6% growth of the previous decade. Malhotra emphasized that this success is no accident; it stems from India’s monetary, financial, and political stability, consistent and forward-looking policies, and a robust rule-based ecosystem that fuels business confidence. He invited American businesses to collaborate and innovate across cutting-edge sectors such as space, semiconductors, renewable energy, and electric vehicles, areas where India is rapidly emerging as a global contender.
Backing Malhotra’s pitch, the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook projects India’s growth at 6.2% in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026 – comfortably outstripping China’s forecasted 4% and the US’s sluggish sub-2% growth.
India’s rise is not just about speed but scale: the country has vaulted from the world’s 10th largest economy to the 5th in just a decade, with projections placing it as the 3rd largest economy by 2028, overtaking Germany and Japan. Malhotra also reassured investors about India’s financial sector health, highlighting strong bank profitability, low non-performing assets, and ample liquidity. Despite a slight moderation, bank credit growth remains robust at around 12%, underpinning continued economic momentum.
In a world rattled by trade wars, inflation, and geopolitical shocks, India’s combination of rapid growth, policy stability, and emerging technological prowess makes it a rare bright spot-and a must-watch investment frontier. As Malhotra put it, India’s journey to becoming a developed nation – Viksit Bharat – by 2047 is well underway, and the time to invest is now.