Union Budget 2024: S Jaishankar calls Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget ‘exceptionally important’
Union Budget 2024: Marking the first Union Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and Sitharaman's seventh consecutive budget presentation during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024-25 on Tuesday.
Presenting Union Budget 2024-25, Nirmala Sitharaman, outlines the government's financial roadmap with a focus on sustainable growth, infrastructure development, social welfare, and economic stability.
Calling the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as "exceptionally important", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that it was the first budget of the third term of the NDA government.
Jaishankar said that the budget is presented at a time when the global situation is very volatile, uncertain and very difficult in many ways.
EAM highlighted how the budget is seen from a global perspective. He said, "The budget seeks to maintain growth, manage and reduce inflation, to ensure that our national capabilities and that India's growth, prosperity, progress and development is not affected by a negative international environment."
Jaishankar added that FM Sitharaman had laid out nine priority areas in the budget.
"The priority areas are skilling and education, infrastructure and services, boosting agriculture, infrastructure development, and managing urban growth. There is a total package out there. These steps will make India a much more serious player in the global economy."
Jaishankar said that the world expects India to fuel growth at this time. "Therefore, some of the key steps are also how to flow in foreign investment more effectively, how to attract technology, and how to boost manufacturing. This is a macro analysis I would give of the budget from the viewpoint of foreign policy."
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the 22 percent increase in the Ministry of External Affairs' budget. He highlighted that this boost would enable the ministry to concentrate more on India's neighboring regions.
The budget enhancement will facilitate support for the global South, improve services for Indians traveling abroad, and enhance passport services. Jaishankar emphasized that these improvements will contribute to national security by fostering a more amicable neighborhood.
He commended the budget, noting its significance amidst challenging global conditions. According to Jaishankar, the budget will sustain India's growth and empower Indian diplomacy, deserving recognition and praise from the nation.
- With inputs from agencies
