Prime Minister Narendra Modi met economists on Thursday for a discussion that centered around policy measures required to boost inclusive growth with a medium-term road map to make India the third-largest economy in the world, which will in turn pave the way for achieving the aim of Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2024, three people aware of the development said.

The conversation, ahead of the Union Budget 2024-25, was largely about accelerating efforts to rapidly alleviate poverty by keeping inflation under check, deepening and broadening welfare measures, and creating employment opportunities through investments and skilling, the people said, asking not to be named.

In a social media post on X, the Prime Minister confirmed the development. “Earlier today, interacted with eminent economists and heard their insightful views on issues pertaining to furthering growth,” he said.

The meeting, held at Niti Aayog, is crucial as the government is likely to present the Modi government’s vision for the next five years in the budget.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Modi on July 3 stressed that the government will accelerate and expand the pace of reforms undertaken in the last 10 years and those efforts would witness newer heights and depth in terms of saturation in delivery of basic services.