JAMMU: Hailing India’s remarkable progress in poverty reduction as a powerful endorsement of the country’s changing economic landscape under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Gaurav Gupta, BJP Spokesperson and Convenor, International Affairs, said that the latest World Bank report has exposed the hollowness of the Opposition’s relentless attempts to undermine the government’s development agenda.
Reacting to the World Bank’s October 2026 Poverty and Equity Brief, Gupta said that the findings represent a significant milestone in India’s journey towards inclusive growth and reflect the transformative impact of sustained development efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The report highlights that approximately 496 million people have been lifted out of poverty, with India’s extreme poverty rate declining dramatically from 27.1 per cent to 2.6 per cent, while the proportion of people living below the lower-middle-income poverty threshold of USD 4.20 per day has fallen from 57.7 per cent to 16.1 per cent.
He said the reduction in poverty reflects the impact of sustained economic growth, expanding employment opportunities, improved consumption levels and the government’s extensive social welfare initiatives. He particularly highlighted the expansion of food security programmes, direct welfare support and growing participation of women in paid employment as important contributors to this transformation.
Gupta further highlighted India’s encouraging progress in reducing inequality, stating that the latest reported Gini index of 23.5 reflects a significant improvement in income distribution over the past five years. He said that India compares favourably with major economies such as China, with a Gini index of 36, and the United States, at 42, placing India among countries with relatively low inequality. He described this progress as an encouraging indicator of the country’s growing economic resilience and inclusive development.
Taking a sharp dig at the Opposition, Gupta said that political criticism is welcome in a democracy, but deliberately ignoring achievements recognised by international institutions exposes the lack of a constructive alternative.
“Those who questioned every reform, every welfare initiative and every development project must now answer the people. The World Bank’s findings demonstrate that India’s growth story is reaching millions of ordinary citizens. The Modi Government has placed the poor, women, farmers and vulnerable sections at the centre of its development agenda. The results are increasingly visible in independent assessments,” he said.
He, however, emphasised that the journey is not complete, pointing out that regional disparities, youth unemployment and the need for better-paying employment remain important challenges. He said the government must continue focusing on productive jobs, skill development, entrepreneurship and opportunities for women and young people.
Concluding, Gupta said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India is built on measurable outcomes rather than political slogans.
“The biggest victory is not in defeating political opponents but in defeating poverty and bringing dignity into the lives of millions. India’s poor are getting opportunities, families are moving forward and aspirations are rising. The World Bank’s report is a strong recognition of this progress. Those who refuse to see India’s transformation may continue their political criticism, but they cannot silence the numbers,” Gupta said.
