Avoid Foreign Trips, Overseas Weddings, Unnecessary Gold: PM Modi’s ‘Wed in India’ Push After 7.8% GDP Growth

 

 

 

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to give a stronger push to Swadeshi and domestic spending after India recorded a better-than-expected 7.8% real GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026-27.

In a selfie-style video posted on Instagram on Tuesday, Modi congratulated Indians for the economic performance and appealed to citizens to reconsider spending on foreign holidays, overseas destination weddings and unnecessary gold purchases.

“Do not travel abroad for tourism. Avoid hosting destination weddings in foreign countries. We should follow the mantra of ‘Wed in India’,” Modi said, while also advising people to avoid buying gold unless it was necessary.

 

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Modi hails 7.8% growth

The Prime Minister described the latest growth numbers as a reflection of India’s resilience amid a difficult global environment.

India’s real GDP expanded 7.8% year-on-year in April-June 2026, with real GDP estimated at ₹81.36 lakh crore, compared with ₹75.46 lakh crore in the corresponding quarter of 2025-26, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Modi said the achievement was particularly significant because the global economy continues to face wars, geopolitical uncertainty and disrupted supply chains.

“Despite all these problems, India progressed at a fast pace,” he said in the video.

He had also welcomed the GDP figures on Monday, calling the 7.8% expansion a “herculean feat” and crediting the collective strength and resilience of Indians for the performance.

‘Wed in India’ instead of destination weddings abroad

Linking economic growth with his broader Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local push, Modi called on Indians to keep more spending within the country.

His message was particularly direct on foreign leisure travel and overseas weddings. Instead of spending abroad, he urged citizens to explore Indian destinations and hold weddings in India.

The appeal comes as the government continues to promote domestic production, local businesses and services as part of its wider Swadeshi agenda.

Why Modi asked people to avoid unnecessary gold

The Prime Minister also appealed to people to exercise restraint on gold purchases when they were not essential.

The message is significant because gold is a major import item for India, and spending on imported gold can contribute to pressure on the country’s external balance. Modi’s latest appeal therefore fits into the broader argument for reducing unnecessary imports and directing more spending towards the domestic economy.

‘Swadeshi’ push linked to Viksit Bharat

Modi said maintaining the current growth momentum would require continued public support for Swadeshi, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local.

He argued that greater reliance on Indian products and services could help strengthen domestic economic activity and create more opportunities for the country’s youth.

The Prime Minister also took an apparent swipe at the Opposition, saying that while India was moving forward despite global challenges, some people were busy spreading “jhooth ki goonj” — an “echo of lies” — and pessimism. The remark was seen as a reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent political campaign and criticism of the government’s economic record.

India’s growth comes despite global uncertainty

The latest GDP numbers provide a strong start to FY27, although growth was lower than the 8.6% recorded in the previous quarter, according to reports.

For Modi, however, the 7.8% figure is evidence that India’s economy has continued to expand despite geopolitical instability, supply-chain disruptions and wider global uncertainty.

His latest message combines the economic milestone with a familiar policy pitch: spend more within India, buy Indian where possible and keep the benefits of consumption inside the domestic economy.