Nirmala Sitharaman targets 10% growth and attends AIIB meeting in Qatar

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has projected that India can achieve an economic growth rate exceeding 10 percent by integrating advanced technology and innovation across all sectors. Speaking at an event organized by the IIT Madras Alumni Association, she emphasized that the next phase of infrastructure development must prioritize artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum computing. She also highlighted the transformative potential of technology in agriculture, such as using drones and geospatial mapping to increase productivity.

Separately, Sitharaman is conducting an official visit to Qatar from September 27 to 29, 2026. As the Indian Governor to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), she is attending the bank's 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in Doha. During this trip, she is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the AIIB President and counterparts from several nations, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Nepal, while also engaging with Qatari business leaders to strengthen economic and investment ties.