Aix-en-Provence, July 3 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said India's growing middle class has become the country's "engine of growth", driven by rising consumption and supported by government measures such as financial inclusion, digital connectivity, tax relief and social welfare schemes.

Addressing a session on "How to promote the rise of a new middle class?" at Les Rencontres Economiques d'Aix-en-Provence 2026 in France, Sitharaman said consumption by the middle class has been a key factor behind India's economic growth in the post-pandemic period.

"In India, the middle class is the engine of the growth. And since after COVID, you've seen India remaining the fastest growing large economy. Primarily, it is becau...