Budget 2025: PM Narendra Modi’s Agenda Revealed - Exclusive Insights From PMO’s Meeting With Economists

Prime Minister Narendra on Tuesday held a crucial meeting with 19 leading economists and experts to discuss various aspects of India’s economic growth and future strategies. The meeting, which aimed to address critical issues affecting the country’s economy, included a focused conversation on budget planning, structural reforms, and key areas for sustainable growth. The meeting was not only confined to discussing aspects of the union budget 2025-2026 but also discussed strategies to have durable growth. 

“During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining India’s growth momentum in the face of global economic challenges. The discussion revolved around the need for structural reforms that could support long-term growth,” one of the economists who attended the meeting claiming anonymity told Republic Business.  According to him, the economists also deliberated on the global economic slowdown, the potential impacts of trade policy shocks, and how India could position itself to mitigate these external challenges. “ There were key areas like job creation, skilling and education, MSMEs, and agricultural reforms which were on the top agenda of PM Modi,” he added. 

Focus on Manufacturing, MSMEs, and Empowering Farmers
“A significant portion of the conversation centered on providing incentives for manufacturing and addressing the concerns of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Experts emphasised the need to foster an environment conducive to MSME growth, which is a key contributor to job creation in India,” sources told Republic Business. 
The Prime Minister also discussed the importance of empowering farmers through reforms that would enhance agricultural productivity and farmer welfare. Acknowledging the sector’s challenges, the discussion pointed to the necessity for significant agricultural reforms to support rural growth and livelihoods.

Education, Skilling, and Worker Empowerment
The meeting also touched upon the need for a comprehensive approach to education and skill development, particularly in primary education. Experts stressed the importance of skilling initiatives to ensure that India’s workforce is ready for future challenges. In line with this, the Prime Minister reiterated the goal of creating sustainable jobs and empowering workers, particularly in sectors such as MSMEs and services.

The Road Ahead: Services and Agriculture
The discussion highlighted that the services sector, particularly in cutting-edge industries, has immense potential to drive India’s economic growth. “ The PM was very bullish on the potential of the services sector,” the economist who was part of the meeting added. However, experts also stressed that substantial reforms are needed in agriculture to address ongoing challenges and improve efficiency in the sector.