New Delhi, Feb. 12 -- Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday defended the National Democratic Alliance government's economic record and the FY27 Union budget, contending that India has delivered a rare mix of strong growth, price stability and improved spending efficiency in public schemes.

Replying to the budget debate in the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman said the budget aims to lock in macroeconomic gains, strengthen domestic manufacturing and human capital, and extend India's growth trajectory into the next decade.

The minister highlighted India's projected 7.4% GDP growth in FY26 and benign inflation. "This is the combination I am talking about-strong growth and price stability-uncommon globally," Sitharaman said, adding that suc...