India surpasses the UK to become 5th largest economy in 2019

Houston: Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted India’s remarkable economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that the country advanced from being the 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest by 2019, surpassing the United Kingdom.

Speaking at a community reception hosted by Consul General of India in Houston, D C Manjunath, at India House, Puri praised Houston's critical role in the global energy landscape, especially in the sectors of green hydrogen and aerospace.
Puri underscored the deepening collaboration between the US and India in clean energy, particularly through the US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership, which he called a key pillar for future cooperation. He also emphasised India’s progress in biofuel blending and refining capacity, with plans to increase refining output to 300 million metric tons annually.

Highlighting the political achievements of the Modi government, Puri reiterated that India’s economic rise to the 5th largest economy within five years reflected the country's ongoing growth and global influence.

The minister also pointed to India’s ambitious urban development plans, with 25 billion dollars (Rs 1.57 lakh crore) committed to urban infrastructure between 2017 and 2024. He likened this rapid urban expansion to constructing a city the size of Chicago every year, fueled by new metro systems and airports. Puri noted the significant growth in India's civil aviation sector, with the number of airports set to double from 74 to 150.

Puri further lauded Houston as a key hub for energy innovation and pointed to the 2019 "Howdy Modi" event as a demonstration of the strength of India-US relations. He also commended the Indian diaspora in Houston for their contributions to fields like medicine and engineering, while encouraging them to maintain their cultural heritage.

The minister expressed his gratitude for the warm reception from the Indian community in Houston, acknowledging their role in promoting India’s global image.

Source-PTI