<h1>India's economy defended as alive and growing amid budget debate, citing trade deals, digital payments, GST and manufacturing push.</h1> Debate over the Union Budget 2026-27 presented government claims that India's economy is robust-citing the EU trade agreement, UPI processing over 70 crore transactions daily, Jan Dhan financial inclusion bringing 50 crore into banking, a doubling of gross GST revenues, rising private sector investment and PLI-driven manufacturing growth-while acknowledging criticism that recent anti-money laundering amendments have hindered entrepreneurs and that the budget offers insufficient relief to workers, farmers and the middle class.