New Delhi, Sept. 5 -- India's economy grew 7.8% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026-27, beating expectations despite higher oil prices and global supply-chain disruptions. At the same time, the government has renewed its call for Indians to curb non-essential foreign travel, overseas weddings and gold purchases, bringing attention to how household spending affects the wider economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the appeal on September 1 in a video posted on Instagram from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, linking domestic spending choices with India's goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047.

"Foreign trips, if you are going for leisure, you should not go. If you are getting married abroad, you should not...