Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Indians after the country recorded 7.8% economic growth in the April-June quarter of the financial year 2026-27, while urging citizens to support the domestic economy by limiting non-essential spending abroad.

In a video message, Modi called for greater emphasis on the principles of Swadeshi, Vocal for Local and Made in India. He appealed to Indians to avoid travelling abroad for leisure and to choose India instead for destination weddings.

The Prime Minister also urged citizens to buy gold only when necessary, linking the appeal to his broader call for self-reliance.

PM Modi praises 7.8% GDP growth

Modi said the 7.8% GDP growth reflected the collective efforts and resolve of Indians. The growth came despite global challenges, including wars, instability and disruptions to supply chains.

The government’s latest figures show that India’s economy expanded 7.8% in the first quarter of FY2026-27. The growth was stronger than expectations, although it was lower than the 8.6% expansion recorded in the previous quarter.

Modi said the strong economic numbers reflected growing confidence in India’s economic trajectory.

PM Modi calls for ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Vocal for Local’

The Prime Minister said Indians should embrace Swadeshi and promote locally made products as part of efforts to strengthen self-reliance.

He urged citizens to avoid foreign travel for leisure and asked them not to organise destination weddings abroad. Instead, he promoted the idea of “Wed in India”, encouraging people to spend on travel, hospitality and celebrations within the country.

Modi also appealed to people to avoid buying gold unless it was necessary.

The message comes as the government seeks to encourage domestic consumption and reinforce the broader objective of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Modi links local choices to Viksit Bharat

Modi expressed confidence that greater emphasis on Swadeshi and self-reliance would help India move towards the goal of a developed nation.

He said that stronger participation by citizens in supporting domestic products and services would contribute to India’s long-term development and help create a stronger future for the country’s youth.

The Prime Minister’s message was delivered while he was in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that corruption in Uttar Pradesh is making it difficult for honest government officers to continue in service, claiming that some are choosing to leave before completing their tenure.

Yadav made the remarks while commenting on the resignation of IAS officer Divya Mittal. He alleged that the situation in the state was such that honest officers were finding it increasingly difficult to work.

According to Yadav, officers who want to discharge their duties honestly are facing an environment that is not conducive to their functioning. He claimed that some such officers are opting to leave government service rather than continue under these circumstances.

Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks on honest officers

Yadav linked the resignation of officers to what he described as the prevailing corruption in the Uttar Pradesh administration.

The Samajwadi Party leader alleged that officers who do not want to compromise with corruption are being pushed towards leaving service. His remarks came in the context of Divya Mittal’s resignation from the IAS.

Yadav’s comments are allegations directed at the state administration and do not, by themselves, establish that corruption was the reason for any particular officer’s resignation.

Divya Mittal’s resignation

IAS officer Divya Mittal’s resignation was the immediate context for Yadav’s remarks. Yadav used the development to raise questions about the working environment for government officers in Uttar Pradesh.

The Samajwadi Party chief argued that the departure of officers before retirement raises concerns about the conditions under which government officials are expected to work.

His comments add to the political debate over governance and corruption in Uttar Pradesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kyrgyzstan and reiterated India’s support for efforts aimed at bringing peace to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During a joint statement with Putin, PM Modi said India supports all peaceful efforts to resolve the conflict and will continue to back such initiatives.

“India advocates for resolving all problems peacefully, which is necessary for all of humanity,” PM Modi said.

The meeting between the two leaders took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Modi’s remarks underlined India’s stated position that conflicts should be addressed through peaceful means. The Prime Minister emphasised the broader importance of resolving disputes peacefully for humanity.

The meeting comes as India and Russia continue to maintain close bilateral ties, with the two countries also discussing matters of mutual interest during high-level engagements.