Senior journalist Surinder Verma credits India’s rise past Japan to sustained economic reforms, policy consistency and decisive leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
New Delhi | January 1, 2026
India marked the beginning of 2026 with a major economic milestone, emerging as the world’s fourth-largest economy after surpassing Japan at the close of 2025. Reacting to the development, senior journalist Surinder Verma commended the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for steering the country to this historic position.
Verma said India’s improved standing in the global economic hierarchy is the result of long-term planning, reform-oriented governance and a clear policy roadmap pursued consistently over the years. He emphasised that overtaking a mature economy like Japan is not an overnight achievement, but the outcome of sustained effort and effective execution.
Highlighting key drivers of growth, Verma noted the government’s emphasis on infrastructure development, promotion of manufacturing, digitalisation of the economy and adherence to fiscal discipline. According to him, these measures have reinforced India’s economic resilience, enabling steady growth even amid global uncertainties.
“This milestone reflects the government’s commitment to structural reforms and the Prime Minister’s ability to take decisive and sometimes difficult policy decisions. Becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy is a strong endorsement of that leadership,” Verma said.
With this achievement, India now trails only the United States, China and Germany in terms of nominal GDP. Verma observed that beyond rankings, the development signals India’s rising credibility and influence on the global economic stage.
As the new year begins, he described the milestone as a moment of national confidence and a significant step in India’s journey toward becoming a leading global economic power.
