India’s Electrification and Economic Drive: Highlights from Nirmala Sitharaman’s Washington Speech

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India’s progress in rural electrification and water accessibility during a fireside chat with John J. Hamre in Washington DC. He confirmed that unlike infrastructure shortages in 2014, all Indian villages are now connected to electricity.

Discussing the Jal Jeevan Mission, Sitharaman lauded the initiative to widely provide tap water to individual households, significantly improving health, sanitation and convenience for families in India. This project marks a departure from past practices where a single village tap served many families.

The Minister of Finance also touched upon economic empowerment, highlighting increased financial autonomy for municipalities. He emphasized on increasing capacities for resource production and India’s continuous policy reforms to attract global investors. Sitharaman asserted that these efforts have consolidated India’s status on the global stage.

(With input from institutions.)