Israeli Finance Minister Counters Trump’s View, Lauds India’s Economic Progress

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s Finance Minister, expressed his admiration for the Indian economy, labeling it as “fascinating” while also emphasizing its robust performance. In a discussion, he praised the economic reforms implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the results of these reforms are evident. Smotrich was asked about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement, where he termed India’s economy as “dead.” Smotrich countered this, saying, “Indian economy is really exciting. The way Prime Minister Modi is promoting free market and competition, its results are clearly visible. With an annual growth rate of 6 percent, I think India’s economy will grow even faster. I am confident that India is on the right track.” Trump had previously criticized India’s trade practices and economic policies. Smotrich’s comments were made on the same day that official data showed India’s real GDP growth at 7.8 percent in the April-June quarter of the financial year 2025-26, exceeding the 6.5 percent growth from the same period last year. India, currently the world’s fourth-largest economy, is progressing towards becoming the third-largest, with a projected GDP of US $7.3 trillion by 2030. This growth is believed to be driven by strong leadership, forward-thinking policies, and collaborative efforts on a global scale.