Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday expressed pride that India is being counted among the world’s leading countries in major nuclear initiatives, saying the Indian flag “flies proudly” alongside those of five key nations.
Speaking in Madurai at the National Finance Entrepreneurship Conference organised by CII’s Young Indians, she pointed to global disruptions—from the Ukraine war and conflicts involving Israel, the US and Iran—that have affected shipping schedules and pushed up fertiliser costs due to oil and gas constraints.
Despite these challenges, she said India continues to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy. She also noted that entrepreneurs from France are keen to collaborate with India’s MSMEs, urging young people to overcome hesitation and step forward as entrepreneurs.
Highlighting India’s role in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) fusion research project in France, Sitharaman said Indian engineers from L&T are contributing by building and supplying large-scale nuclear equipment for advanced future technologies.
She also referred to development in “backward” districts, noting that Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu are performing well. As an example, she said SIDBI has opened a branch in Virudhunagar, helping take the district’s chilli-drying trade to the next level.
