Mumbai/Thane, Sep 1: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday hailed India as it registered a real GDP growth rate of 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of the 2026–27 financial year (Q1 FY27, April–June 2026) under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflecting the country’s progress.

Chief Minister Fadnavis in his post on social media platform X said, “Yehi hai right choice, Bharat! Let’s keep going the same way, same direction. 7.8 per cent growth in such times prove our potential and possibilities as a Nation with PM @narendramodi’s leadership! Congratulations Bharat!”

On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that India’s economy continues to demonstrate strong growth with a 7.8 per cent GDP expansion at a time when several nations globally are grappling with conflict and economic fallout.

“This reflects economic progress and stability, this marks another key step toward achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’,” The Deputy Chief Minister added.

Speaking to reporters on the country’s economic outlook, Deputy CM Shinde expressed confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving steadily toward becoming an economic superpower and achieving its target of a $5 trillion economy.

He assured that the Maharashtra government will contribute significantly to this journey.

Highlighting the adverse global backdrop, the Deputy Chief Minister noted that ongoing wars and geopolitical conflicts have impacted multiple world economies.

“In contrast, India’s 7.8 per cent growth rate presents a highly promising picture and signals the nation’s rising economic strength.”

Deputy CM Shinde emphasised that every citizen should take pride in the nation’s strengthening economy.

However, he criticised the opposition parties for taking a negative stance on national progress due to political bias against PM Modi.

He remarked that appeals made by the Prime Minister are always aimed at national interest, upliftment, and growth, but are often viewed through a narrow political lens by his critics.

“Instead of questioning progress, everyone should contribute toward accelerating development,” Deputy Chief Minister Shinde added.

Reaffirming the state’s commitment, the Deputy CM said that Maharashtra will fully cooperate with the Central government to reach the $5 trillion target and realise the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ roadmap.

He asserted that India’s economic strides are a matter of pride for all 140 crore citizens, adding that the public will appropriately respond to those opposing the country’s growth.

New Delhi, Sep 1: Retail sales of onions continue at Rs 35 per kg and a total of approximately 669 metric tonnes (MT) of the staple vegetable has been sold to date, comprising 223 MT through bulk channels via the e-NAM portal and similar online platforms at prevailing mandi prices, and 446 MT through retail channels across the country, the government said on Tuesday.

The affordable onion sale is being organised through the NCCF, the NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar outlets, and mobile vans, ensuring affordable availability for consumers.

“Simultaneously, around 1,000 MT of onions are being transported by road to major consumption centres, based on prevailing market conditions and price trends, with the aim of improving availability and moderating seasonal price pressures,” the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution said in a statement.

Further, Rs 210 crore has been paid directly to around 3,400 farmers, ensuring timely payments.

The government said it has begun a calibrated release of onion buffer stocks through a hybrid transportation model comprising railway rakes (Kanda Express) and road transport to major consumption centres to ensure adequate availability and moderation of seasonal price pressures.

As part of this initiative, two Kanda Express consignments have been dispatched from Nashik. The first rake, carrying 450 MT of onions, reached Delhi in the late hours of August 27.

Of this, 140 MT was subsequently distributed across Varanasi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Amritsar, with the remaining quantity distributed across the Delhi-NCR region.

The second rake, carrying 840 MT of onions, reached Chennai on August 31. The Tamil Nadu government plans to distribute these onions through the Public Distribution System (PDS) against the requirement of 1 kg per card.

The onions are likely to be distributed across various districts of Tamil Nadu as per the proposed district-wise clustering:

Retail intervention efforts have expanded significantly across 19 cities, supported by the dispatch of over 30 trucks to ensure widespread availability, said the official statement.

The release of onions from buffer stocks has improved market availability and eased prices, particularly in centres where onion consignments have reached, such as Varanasi, Amritsar, Delhi and nearby markets. Prices have shown a decline from the day following the commencement of disposal, with increased supplies expected to further support price stability.

Asheville, Sep 1: India strongly supports the US G20 presidency’s focus on economic growth, global imbalances and financial literacy, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said after holding a “positive, constructive” bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

In an exclusive interview with media on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting here, FM Sitharaman said New Delhi and Washington shared common ground on the central issues being discussed under the US presidency.

“The US presidency has spoken about growth as a priority. It has spoken about the global imbalances as a concern,” she said.

“The US has also very clearly placed high importance on financial literacy, which is a very personally dear point for the Secretary of Treasury, Scott Bessent,” the Finance Minister said.

“So in all these, we are very much with the United States,” she added.

FM Sitharaman said India wanted G20 members to have candid discussions about the challenges affecting the international economy.

“These are the points on which we also want fair, open discussions,” she said.

“Growth is a central point for the G20’s financial track. Equally, the imbalances, global imbalances will have to be sorted out,” she said.

The Finance Minister welcomed the priorities identified by Washington and said India was making an active contribution to the deliberations in Asheville.

“I appreciate the US presidency in taking up these points, and we’ve been contributing in the discussions which happened today,” she said.

FM Sitharaman also met Bessent during the day for bilateral talks on economic and financial issues.

“I may also add here that I’ve had a very positive, constructive bilateral discussion with Secretary Bessent today,” she said.

She did not disclose specific details of the meeting in the interview. Her remarks, however, indicated broad agreement between India and the United States on the need to place growth at the centre of the G20 financial track and address imbalances in the global economy.

FM Sitharaman held separate bilateral meetings with representatives of Poland, Qatar, South Korea and Russia during the G20 gathering.

“I’ve had bilaterals also with Poland, with Qatar, with Korea, with Russia. All of them happened today, and on a very positive note,” she said.

“Everyone has had facts about India in their hands, and they’re looking forward to deepening their relationship with India,” she added.

The Finance Minister said some of the discussions would be followed by further bilateral economic engagements. A dialogue with South Korea would be held later this year, she said, adding that a dialogue with Qatar would also take place during the year.

“There are quite a few activities that we’ve tied up for India and the bilateral engagement on economy and finance,” she said.

FM Sitharaman’s participation in the G20 meeting comes as India reported economic growth of 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year. She said manufacturing had grown by 9.2 per cent, while the financial and professional services sector expanded by 12.1 per cent.

The Finance Minister described the figures as evidence of India’s economic resilience despite continuing global challenges. She said the government would work to position India advantageously whenever new challenges emerged.

FM Sitharaman began her overseas visit in Canada, where she held talks with the Canadian Finance Minister. She then travelled to Chicago for discussions with funding agencies before arriving in Asheville for the G20 meeting.

After completing her engagements here, FM Sitharaman is scheduled to travel to New York, where she will meet investors interested in entering the Indian market.