After the Russia-Austria tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met leading economists, less than two weeks ahead of the Centre’s Union Budget. The meeting, however, mainly focussed on the Prime Minister’s push for India to be the third largest economy of the world from the fifth largest one at present.

The Prime Minister also sought suggestions and views from them for the upcoming Budget. According to a top source, the meeting primarily focussed on inclusive growth and massive job creation in the country in his third term.

“Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, industry experts and economists, including Niti Aayog vice-chairman Suman Bery, discussed all the important policy issues involved in the Indian economy, including new and pending reforms as well as fiscal strategies going forward in the country,” the source said.